ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2025
Impact of early life antibiotic exposure on the preschool developmental status: a nationwide population-based study.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Protecting Newborns from Multidrug-Resistant Infections: The Emerging Role of Bacteriophages.Viruses · 2026Review
- Early-Life β-Lactam Exposure and the Developing Microbiome: Clinical Relevance and Controversies.Microorganisms · 2026Review
- Microbiota management: a perspective for kidney transplant patients.Frontiers in transplantation · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveGrowing concerns exist about the potential adverse effects of early antibiotic exposure on neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, large-scale studies exploring these implications in early childhood are rare.
designA nationwide, population-based retrospective cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance System and the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC) between 2015 and 2022. PATIENTS: A total of 1 848 841 children who participated in the NHSPIC at both 4-6 months and 54-60 months of age were included.
interventionsAntibiotic exposure under 90 days old.
main outcome measuresDevelopmental delays in preschool-aged children assessed by the Korean Developmental Screening Test at 54-60 month of age.
resultsAmong the 1 848 841 children assessed, 23% experienced antibiotic exposure within the first 3 months of life. Early use of antibiotics was linked to a slightly elevated risk of developmental delays at a median age of 4.94 years (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.17), particularly affecting gross motor (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.13), fine motor (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.13), cognition (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.13) and communication (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.12). A dose-response relationship was also observed, with longer durations of antibiotic exposure associated with an increased risk of developmental delays.
conclusionsExposure to antibiotics in infants under 90 days old may be associated with a modest increase in the risk of global developmental delays, especially in motor skills, cognitive functions and communication abilities. Careful consideration is necessary when prescribing antibiotics to this age group.
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