Could Antibiotics in Infancy Trigger Early Puberty in Girls?
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Synopsis
New research indicates that girls who are prescribed antibiotics within their first year, especially during the initial three months, are at a greater risk of experiencing early puberty. This study emphasizes the need for careful antibiotic use in infants and its potential long-term health impacts.
Key Takeaways
- Early exposure to antibiotics may increase the risk of early puberty in girls.
- Girls receiving antibiotics prior to 3 months are 33% more likely to experience early puberty.
- The risk increases to 40% for those treated before 14 days of age.
- Using multiple classes of antibiotics correlates with a 22% increased risk of early puberty.
- No similar effects were noted in boys.
Seoul, May 11 (NationPress) A recent study reveals that girls who receive antibiotics during their infancy, particularly within the first three months, face an increased risk of experiencing early puberty. This research was shared at the inaugural Joint Congress of the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and indicates that the likelihood of early puberty escalates with exposure to a wider range of antibiotic classes.
These findings underscore the necessity of judicious antibiotic use in young children, as early exposure to medications may influence health outcomes later in life.
Early puberty, medically termed central precocious puberty (CPP), refers to the premature onset of secondary sexual characteristics in children. In girls, this occurs before the age of 8, while in boys it manifests before age 9.
While early puberty predominantly affects girls, its causes often remain unclear, and it is less frequently observed in boys. Over recent decades, the incidence of early puberty has been increasing, prompting ongoing research into potential contributing elements.
The study conducted by researchers at Hanyang University Guri Hospital and Hanyang University Medical Center analyzed the antibiotic consumption of 322,731 children aged 0–12 months in South Korea.
The children were tracked until girls were 9 years old and boys reached 10, revealing that girls administered antibiotics before 3 months of age were 33% more likely to experience early puberty.
Furthermore, the risk rose to 40% for girls who received antibiotics before 14 days of age, with earlier exposure correlating with a heightened risk of early puberty.
Girls utilizing five or more classes of antibiotics exhibited a 22% increased risk of early puberty compared to those using two or fewer classes. No similar association was observed in boys.
Dr. Yunsoo Choe from Hanyang University Guri Hospital, involved in this study, stated, 'This population-based research is among the first to investigate the relationship between early-life antibiotic usage—including timing, frequency, and variety—in such a substantial national cohort of children.'
Dr. Choe emphasized that the results could prompt healthcare providers and parents to consider the long-term implications of antibiotic treatments for young children.
Point of View
It is imperative to highlight the importance of understanding how medical interventions in early life can have profound long-term effects. This study sheds light on a potential health risk that warrants attention from both medical professionals and parents alike.
NationPress
11/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the study find about antibiotics and early puberty?
The study found that girls given antibiotics in their first year, particularly within the first three months, are more likely to enter puberty at an earlier age.
Is there a difference in how antibiotics affect boys and girls?
Yes, the study indicated that early puberty primarily affects girls, with no significant association found between antibiotic intake and early puberty in boys.
What implications do these findings have for antibiotic prescriptions?
The findings suggest that healthcare providers and parents should consider the long-term effects of antibiotic use in infants when making treatment decisions.
