Studies Benefits of breastfeeding are lost after antibiotic administration

Antibiotics in infancy significantly reduce the positive effects of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for the development of children. These include, for example, a reduced risk of infection and a lower probability of overweight later in life, Finnish scientists report in the journal "JAMA Pediatrics". However, the use of antibiotics in infancy could nullify these effects, explains the research team led by Katri Korpela from the University of Helsinki.

Based on the assumption that many positive effects of breastfeeding in particular through the microbiome or intestinal flora to bear, the researchers investigated the possible negative effects of antibiotics intake on the benefits of breastfeeding. In particular, they analyzed the association with the risk of infection and overweight in children. It turned out that the benefits of breastfeeding are actually largely lost through antibiotics in infancy.

By taking antibiotics in infancy, the benefits of breastfeeding are lost. (Image: taramara78 / fotolia.com)

Long-term effects on the development of the microbiome
In their current study, the researchers examined whether the use of antibiotics prevented the long-term positive effects of breastfeeding on weight development and the risk of infection. They also checked if the duration of breastfeeding was related to the long-term development of the microbiome. The researchers investigated the effects of breastfeeding and antibiotic use on a total of 226 children. In each case, 113 children had received antibiotics during infancy or had not taken any antibiotics. In addition, the scientists regularly analyzed the diversity of their intestinal flora in 42 children using stool samples.

Infection risk and weight development evaluated
The study focused on the effects of taking antibiotics on the risk of obesity and resistance to infection. To assess the weight of the children, the researchers used the so-called body mass index (BMI) and the risk of infection was assessed by the prescriptions of antibiotics after weaning. The researchers said it was clear that children without antibiotic use in infancy with each month of breastfeeding required by five percent less antibiotic treatments after weaning and a 0.08 percent lower BMI, the researchers write. Among the 113 infants who received antibiotics in infancy, however, there was little evidence of breastfeeding for BMI and subsequent antibiotic treatments.

Positive effect of a long period of breastfeeding is lost
The researchers further report that the analysis of stool samples in 42 children showed that children without short duration (0-6 months) without antibiotics and children with long periods of breastfeeding (8-16 months) with early antibiotics use one significant lower abundance of certain intestinal bacteria was observed - compared to children with long periods of lactation and without antibiotic use. Researchers conclude that use of antibiotics in a child during lactation clearly weakens the beneficial effects of prolonged breastfeeding. In addition, the current study results indicate that "above all, the long-term metabolic benefits of breastfeeding through the intestinal flora are promoted," report Katri Korpela and colleagues. (Fp)