Antibiotic Use During Childhood Associated With Increased IBS Risk in Young Adulthood: Study
Could repeated antibiotic use during childhood increase the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome later in life? A new study suggests that greater exposure to antibiotics from childhood through early adulthood may be associated with higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by age 24.
Presented at UEG Week 2026, the study examined the relationship between antibiotic prescriptions and IBS among 2,853 participants from the Swedish BAMSE birth cohort.
IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits. Although previous studies have suggested a connection between antibiotics and IBS, evidence regarding childhood antibiotic exposure and subsequent adult disease has remained inconsistent.
Researchers analysed antibiotic prescriptions recorded in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register from 2005, when participants were aged 9 to 11 years, until one year before IBS assessment at age 24.
The findings revealed that 10% of participants had IBS at age 24, with women accounting for 79.4% of cases.
Antibiotic exposure was reported in 87.8% of participants with IBS, compared with 80.2% of those without the condition. After adjusting for sex and family socioeconomic status, antibiotic exposure was associated with 1.5 times the odds of IBS.
Importantly, the association increased with repeated antibiotic prescriptions. Participants receiving three to five prescriptions had 1.6 times the odds of IBS, while those receiving six or more had 1.7 times the odds compared with individuals receiving none.
Certain antibiotic classes also showed stronger associations, particularly tetracyclines and cephalosporins.
Researchers suggested that antibiotic-related changes in the gut microbiome could potentially contribute to IBS development, although the underlying mechanisms were not directly investigated.
However, the observational findings do not establish causation, and further long-term studies are needed.
REFERENCE: Sjölund, J. et al. Antibiotic use from childhood and risk of adult irritable bowel syndrome: findings from a prospective birth cohort. Presented at UEG Week 2026; 19 October 2026; Barcelona, Spain
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