How Does Early-Life Antibiotic Exposure Impact Gut Microbiome Composition, and What Are the Long-Term Metabolic Consequences Associated with These Changes?
Faculty Mentor
Xinyi Huang
Major/Area of Research
Microbiology
Description
INTRODUCTION: The gut microbiome is integral to drug metabolism and metabolic regulation. Disruptions in microbial composition due to early-life antibiotic exposure have been associated with long-term metabolic consequences, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. This study explores the impact of early antibiotic use on the gut microbiome and its implications for metabolic health.
METHOD: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed database for studies published between February and March 2025. Key search terms included "gut microbiota," "pharmacokinetics," "xenobiotics," "biotransformation," and "antibiotics." Studies were included if they were in English, human-based, and focused on children, antibiotics, the microbiome, and metabolism. Exclusion criteria were non-clinical or agricultural studies. A total of 23 studies, comprising randomized trials and observational studies, were analyzed.
RESULTS: The review revealed consistent associations between early antibiotic exposure and gut dysbiosis. Beta-lactam antibiotics were shown to reduce Bifidobacterium populations by up to 40% and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii by 35%, while macrolides led to a 30% decrease in Bacteroidetes and a 50% increase in Proteobacteria. A large retrospective cohort study involving over 6,400 children found that infants exposed to antibiotics before age 1 had a 25% higher risk of developing obesity by age 7. Another study reported that short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was reduced by 45% in antibiotic-exposed infants, suggesting impaired energy regulation and increased risk for insulin resistance. These microbial shifts were consistently linked to long-term metabolic disturbances, including weight gain, inflammation, and altered glucose homeostasis.
CONCLUSION: Early-life antibiotic exposure disrupts the gut microbiome, leading to long-term metabolic effects, including an increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance. These findings highlight the need for cautious antibiotic use in early life and suggest that future research should focus on probiotics and microbiome-based therapies to promote long-term metabolic health.
How Does Early-Life Antibiotic Exposure Impact Gut Microbiome Composition, and What Are the Long-Term Metabolic Consequences Associated with These Changes?
INTRODUCTION: The gut microbiome is integral to drug metabolism and metabolic regulation. Disruptions in microbial composition due to early-life antibiotic exposure have been associated with long-term metabolic consequences, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. This study explores the impact of early antibiotic use on the gut microbiome and its implications for metabolic health.
METHOD: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed database for studies published between February and March 2025. Key search terms included "gut microbiota," "pharmacokinetics," "xenobiotics," "biotransformation," and "antibiotics." Studies were included if they were in English, human-based, and focused on children, antibiotics, the microbiome, and metabolism. Exclusion criteria were non-clinical or agricultural studies. A total of 23 studies, comprising randomized trials and observational studies, were analyzed.
RESULTS: The review revealed consistent associations between early antibiotic exposure and gut dysbiosis. Beta-lactam antibiotics were shown to reduce Bifidobacterium populations by up to 40% and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii by 35%, while macrolides led to a 30% decrease in Bacteroidetes and a 50% increase in Proteobacteria. A large retrospective cohort study involving over 6,400 children found that infants exposed to antibiotics before age 1 had a 25% higher risk of developing obesity by age 7. Another study reported that short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was reduced by 45% in antibiotic-exposed infants, suggesting impaired energy regulation and increased risk for insulin resistance. These microbial shifts were consistently linked to long-term metabolic disturbances, including weight gain, inflammation, and altered glucose homeostasis.
CONCLUSION: Early-life antibiotic exposure disrupts the gut microbiome, leading to long-term metabolic effects, including an increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance. These findings highlight the need for cautious antibiotic use in early life and suggest that future research should focus on probiotics and microbiome-based therapies to promote long-term metabolic health.