Study Links Infant Antibiotic Use to Earlier Puberty in Girls

Recent research has revealed a significant association between the administration of antibiotics during infancy and the onset of puberty in girls at an earlier age. This study was presented at the inaugural Joint Congress of the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and the European Society of Endocrinology, where findings underscored the need for careful consideration of antibiotic use in young children.

Identified as central precocious puberty (CPP), early puberty occurs when secondary sexual characteristics appear before age eight in girls and before age nine in boys. This condition predominantly affects girls and has seen rising incidence rates in recent decades, prompting ongoing investigation into its underlying causes.

The research team from Hanyang University Guri Hospital and Hanyang University Medical Center conducted an extensive analysis of antibiotic usage among 322,731 infants aged between 0 to 12 months in South Korea. Participants were monitored until they reached the ages of nine for girls and ten for boys. Results indicated that girls who received antibiotics within the first three months of life were 33% more likely to experience early puberty. The risk escalated to 40% for those exposed to antibiotics before 14 days of age, illustrating a clear correlation between the timing of antibiotic exposure and the likelihood of early pubertal onset. Furthermore, girls treated with five or more classes of antibiotics exhibited a 22% higher risk of early puberty compared to those who were prescribed two or fewer classes.

Notably, no similar association was observed in boys, leading researchers to focus on how antibiotic exposure uniquely impacts girls. Dr. Yunsoo Choe, a key contributor to the study, emphasized that this population-based research marks one of the first investigations into the relationship between antibiotic use in early life and the timing of puberty, utilizing a substantial national cohort and detailed data on exposure.

Previous studies have suggested a connection between exclusive breastfeeding and a reduced risk of CPP, pointing to the potential influence of early-life factors on both gut microbiome and endocrine pathways that are crucial for pubertal development. This latest research expands upon earlier findings by investigating antibiotic exposure as a potential modifier of puberty timing.

Dr. Choe expressed the hope that the results would prompt both healthcare professionals and parents to weigh the long-term implications of antibiotic treatments when making health decisions for their children. Future research is anticipated to further explore the impacts of early antibiotic use on growth, metabolism, and overall endocrine health.

The investigation contributes to a growing body of evidence indicating that early antibiotic administration could have lasting effects on children's development, potentially altering their gut microbiota or hormonal balance. Understanding the biological mechanisms behind these changes may provide insights into safer antibiotic practices and better early-life care strategies for children.