Research progress on effects and mechanisms of early life antibiotic exposure on childhood neurodevelopment

Jiao CHEN; Xing WANG; Menglong GENG; Fangbiao TAO

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Research progress on effects and mechanisms of early life antibiotic exposure on childhood neurodevelopment

VernacularTitle:生命早期抗生素暴露对儿童神经发育的影响及其机制的研究进展
Author: Jiao CHEN ¹ ; Xing WANG ¹ ; Menglong GENG ² ; Fangbiao TAO ³
Author Information

1. Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health.
2. Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle;Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
3. Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health;Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle;Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: early life; antibiotic; childhood; neurodevelopment; gut microbiota
From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(6):769-777
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Early life is a critical window for nervous system development. Antibiotics can cause human exposure through multiple pathways, and exposure during this stage increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in children, which has garnered widespread concern in the academic community. Currently, the characteristics of multi-pathway antibiotic exposure during early life and the empirical evidence linking such exposure to NDDs have yet to be systematically summarized. This review integrated domestic and international literature, summarized the current status of antibiotic exposure, analyzed its epidemiological associations with NDDs, and synthesized findings from animal studies and underlying mechanisms. Existing studies indicate that early life antibiotic exposure increases the probability of adverse outcomes in children, including autistic-like behaviors, anxiety, and mood disorders. Animal experiments further support a causal relationship, demonstrating that antibiotic intervention can disrupt offspring gut microbiota composition, impede central nervous system development, and induce abnormal phenotypes such as social deficits and learning/memory impairment. Dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, direct neurotoxicity of antibiotics, and activation of inflammatory immune responses constitute the core mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental damage. Future research should advance refined exposure assessments to investigate the differential effects of antibiotic types and treatment durations, distinguish the health impacts of medical versus food/environmental sources, and elucidate the molecular targets and signaling pathways through which gut microbiota metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, regulate neurodevelopment. Furthermore, extended follow-up into adolescence and adulthood is needed to evaluate the long-term neuropsychological outcomes, including depression and cognitive decline. Through interdisciplinary collaborative research, scientific support can be provided for the early identification and intervention of neurodevelopmental impairment risks associated with antibiotic exposure.