Do alterations in peripartum environment due to antibiotic use in a normal vaginal birth increase the likelihood of IBD in offspring?

Abstract

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) pathogenesis has been linked to various factors, including the gut microbiota, immunological abnormalities, and environmental influences. A key question is whether alterations in the peripartum environment due to antibiotic use in normal vaginal birth can increase the likelihood of IBD in offspring. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed during this period both to treat existing infections and as routine prophylaxis. This review analyses current research on peripartum antibiotic exposure and the future risk of IBD in offspring. Although animal studies support the theory that maternal antibiotic use can disrupt the gut microbiota of offspring, potentially increasing their susceptibility to IBD, human population studies have not demonstrated a statistically significant correlation. The reviewed literature thus suggests that while animal models indicate a possible mechanism, the link between maternal antibiotic use and IBD in offspring remains unsubstantiated in human studies. Further research is needed to clarify these findings and explore additional factors that may contribute to IBD risk.