Title of Research
Start Date
18-8-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
18-8-2017 11:30 AM
Abstract
Early Life Antibiotic Exposure and its Association with Overweight/Obesity: An Integrative Review of the Literature
Margaret Pfaff
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Shannon Simonovich
Background: Prevention of or treatment for obesity could improve quality of life for many people. Infancy may be a critical period during which efforts should be focused to mitigate modifiable factors that may influence the risk for developing obesity.
Objectives: This integrative literature identified factors associated with greater incidence or effects of antibiotic exposure during infancy and examined the connection between early life antibiotic exposure and later in life overweight/obesity.
Method: This analysis followed the Whittemore and Knafl (2005) design for an integrative literature review. Two databases, CINAHL and PubMed, were searched based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The literature was then analyzed, compared, and ranked.
Results: Three factors were identified as having an association with increased incidence of antibiotic exposure or increased risk of overweight in children exposed as infants. The factors were: maternal-related factors, biological factors, and type of antibiotic given. Each study reviewed reported an increased risk for overweight/obesity in children exposed to antibiotics during infancy.
Conclusion: Disruption of the intestinal microbiota by early or repeated exposure to antibiotics in infancy could lead to obesity later in life. Better stewardship in prescribing antibiotics and more comprehensive patient teaching could help cut down on the overuse of antibiotics, and the potentially harmful long-term effects, like obesity. Modifiable factors like the prudent use of antibiotics in infants should continue to be identified through further quantitative research as well as review of the literature.
Included in
Family Practice Nursing Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons, Pediatric Nursing Commons
Early Life Antibiotic Exposure and its Association with Overweight/Obesity: An Integrative Review of the Literature
Early Life Antibiotic Exposure and its Association with Overweight/Obesity: An Integrative Review of the Literature
Margaret Pfaff
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Shannon Simonovich
Background: Prevention of or treatment for obesity could improve quality of life for many people. Infancy may be a critical period during which efforts should be focused to mitigate modifiable factors that may influence the risk for developing obesity.
Objectives: This integrative literature identified factors associated with greater incidence or effects of antibiotic exposure during infancy and examined the connection between early life antibiotic exposure and later in life overweight/obesity.
Method: This analysis followed the Whittemore and Knafl (2005) design for an integrative literature review. Two databases, CINAHL and PubMed, were searched based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The literature was then analyzed, compared, and ranked.
Results: Three factors were identified as having an association with increased incidence of antibiotic exposure or increased risk of overweight in children exposed as infants. The factors were: maternal-related factors, biological factors, and type of antibiotic given. Each study reviewed reported an increased risk for overweight/obesity in children exposed to antibiotics during infancy.
Conclusion: Disruption of the intestinal microbiota by early or repeated exposure to antibiotics in infancy could lead to obesity later in life. Better stewardship in prescribing antibiotics and more comprehensive patient teaching could help cut down on the overuse of antibiotics, and the potentially harmful long-term effects, like obesity. Modifiable factors like the prudent use of antibiotics in infants should continue to be identified through further quantitative research as well as review of the literature.