Effects of Perinatal Antibiotic Exposure and Neonatal Gut Microbiota

Antibiotic therapy is one of the most important strategies to treat bacterial infections. The overuse of antibiotics, especially in the perinatal period, is associated with long-lasting negative consequences such as the spread of antibiotic resistance and alterations in the composition and function of the gut microbiota, both of which negatively affect human health. In this review, we summarize recent evidence about the influence of antibiotic treatment on the neonatal gut microbiota and the subsequent negative effects on the health of the infant. We also analyze the possible microbiome-based approaches for the re-establishment of healthy microbiota in neonates.

Automated summary

Antibiotic therapy is crucial for treating bacterial infections, but its excessive use, especially during the perinatal period, can have long-lasting negative effects on human health. This includes the spread of antibiotic resistance and disruptions to the gut microbiota, which are detrimental to the health of infants. This review summarizes recent evidence on how antibiotic treatment influences the neonatal gut microbiota and discusses potential microbiome-based approaches for restoring a healthy microbiota in newborns.