The President of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia warns about the risk of obesity and diseases in children due to the unjustified use of antibiotics
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President of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia Leila Namazova-Baranova said that unjustified prescription and use of antibiotics can lead to mass obesity among children, as well as the development of allergies, autoimmune and cancer diseases, citing scientific research on the effect of early antibiotic therapy on body weight by the age of four.
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The article discusses the consequences of unjustified use of antibiotics in children, including obesity, allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer, citing a statement by the President of the Russian Union of Pediatricians and scientific research.
President of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia, chief freelance pediatric specialist in preventive medicine of the Russian Ministry of Health, Leila Namazova-Baranova, said that unreasonable prescription and use of antibiotics can lead to mass obesity among children, as well as the development of allergies, autoimmune and cancer diseases.
“Since Covid times, we, unfortunately, have seen an increase in the number of children who are overweight and obese. There are many reasons for this, and this is not only poor nutrition and low physical activity, as most people believe. There is a very big contribution here, for example, early antibiotic therapy,” the expert said.
She clarified that numerous scientific studies show that if during the mother’s pregnancy and then in the first or second year of life the child receives many courses of antibiotics, then by the age of four his body weight is significantly higher than that of his peers. In addition, these children have risks of developing allergies, autoimmune diseases and even cancer.
“Therefore, the ban on the free sale of antibiotics is absolutely correct; it is necessary, in particular, in order to remove this factor. This is a contribution to preserving the health of the child, and therefore the future adult,” the specialist noted.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Introduction of a ban on the free sale of antibiotics in Russia to protect children's health
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific measures are proposed to limit the free sale of antibiotics?
- Is there data on the current level of antibiotic consumption among pregnant women and young children in Russia?
- What alternative treatment approaches are offered instead of antibiotic therapy?
