Antibiotic Use in the First 2 Years of Life Is Related to Longitudinal BMI Trajectories From 0 to 18 years: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background/Objective: Antibiotic exposure by 2 years is linked to increased childhood overweight/obesity risk, mainly in cross-sectional studies. Few longitudinal studies exist in high-risk populations, and none examined BMI trajectories up to 18 years. Our study is the first to investigate the association between early antibiotic exposure and BMI trajectories in a high allergy-risk cohort. Methods: We analysed data from 428 participants in the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study from birth to 18 years. Antibiotic use < 2 years was categorized as “ever versus never” and according to seven antibiotic classes. Number of courses (7 days) and the spectrum of antibiotics (broad versus narrow) were defin..