Researchers involved in an important new study have found that women who use antibiotic drugs during pregnancy could increase their risk of having a child who later suffers from childhood obesity. In the study, published on November 11 in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers from Columbia University indicated that children exposed to antibiotics during the second or third trimester of pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of suffering childhood obesity as early as the age of seven. If you or a loved one suffered from childhood obesity, and you believe exposure to an antibiotic medication in pregnancy to be the cause, consult a knowledgeable drug injury lawyer today to discuss the possibility of filing a product liability lawsuit against the drug manufacturing company.
The antibiotic study examined data on 727 mothers enrolled in the Northern Manhattan Mothers and Children Study, and analyzed data on 436 mother-child pairs from birth until the child turned seven years old. According to their findings, children exposed to antibiotics late in pregnancy had an 84% increased risk of suffering childhood obesity than those not exposed to the medications. “Further research is needed on how mode of delivery, antibiotic use during pregnancy and other factors influence the establishment of the ecosystem of bacteria that inhabit each of us,” says Dr. Andrew Rundle, associate professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health. “This research will help us understand how to create an early platform to support the healthy growth and development of children.”
This new study comes amid increasing concerns about the potential side effects of antibiotic drugs like Levaquin and Avelox, which have been linked to life-altering complications like peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage). According to a growing body of research, individuals taking fluoroquinolone antibiotic drugs like Levaquin and Avelox may have double the risk of suffering severe nerve damage possibly leading to permanent disability, compared to individuals not taking the drugs. In August 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued updated warnings about the risk of peripheral neuropathy from Levaquin and Avelox, and a growing number of patients who took either antibiotic drug in the past are now pursuing legal action for side effects like irreversible nerve damage.
Research published in recent years has also examined the potential connection between exposure to antibiotic medications in the womb and an increased risk of asthma among children, and experts believe that antibiotics interfere with bacteria that naturally aids in fetal development, potentially hindering the proper development of the child’s lungs. If you believe your child has been adversely affected by exposure to antibiotic drugs in pregnancy, our consumer advocates at the Consumer Justice Foundation can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by potentially dangerous medications, and can help put you in touch with a reputable attorney who has experience handling product liability claims.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ijo2014180a.html[/box]
