In an animal study out of the NYU Langone Medical Center, researchers found that there is a link between repeated courses of antibiotics and its impact on a child’s development.

Female mice were treated with two types of common childhood antibiotics and two changes were noticed. They gained more weight and grew larger bones than those who were untreated. The treatment also caused an alteration of the microbiome. A control group was also used that was treated with no drugs.

While researchers qualify the study by saying that it was limited to mice, this coupled with other studies cautions the public that antibiotics have side effects, which is important because antibiotics are so prolific in pediatric treatment.

The study also saw that there was a cumulative effect with multiple rounds of antibiotics.

We get a little interruption of the maturation process after the second course of antibiotics, and then we have even more interruption after three courses,” said one researcher.

For more information, read the full study.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150630121215.htm