Antibiotics increase risk of developing digestive problems in children
Posted 1 year ago by Soraya in General Health News
The importance of taking probiotics whilst on antibiotics has been highlighted in a new study, published in Gut journal; which looked at 580,000 children and their medical records & prescriptions over an 8 year period. It revealed that children given penicillin, or similiar antibiotics, before the age of 4 were twice as likely to develop IBS and three times more likely to develop Crohn's Disease. Scientists believe that the indiscriminate nature of antibiotics kills off probiotics residing in the gut, making the digestive system significantly less tolerant of harmful bacteria and more vulnerable to IBS and other related conditions. Furthermore, the study revealed that children aged 3-4 who had been prescribed antibiotics were 1.84 times more likely to develop bowel disease. This risk increased by a further 12% everytime antibiotics were subsequently prescribed. Dr George Kassianos, spokesman for the Royal College of General Practitioners said, "We need to be very careful with antibiotic prescribing in children. What’s more, by quoting studies like this, we may find it easier to persuade parents of the need to avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary."
Reference: "Antibiotics increase risk of IBS and Crohn's Disease in children in later life" By Sophie Borland. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1348044/Antibiotics-increase-risk-IBS-Crohns-disease-children.html
OptiBac says: If you're taking antibiotics keep your probiotics at optimal levels, see For those on antibiotics
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