Indirect antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with a higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio and fewer nighttime awakenings in infants at 2 and 6 months.
In a prospective birth cohort study of 192 infants, maternal antibiotic use during delivery was associated with a higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio and fewer nighttime awakenings at 2 and 6 months of age. Effect sizes were small to moderate, indicating subtle alterations in sleep behavior rather than overt sleep disturbance.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Indirect antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with a higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio and fewer nighttime awakenings in infants at 2 and 6 months. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Indirect antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with a higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio and fewer nighttime awakenings in infants at 2 and 6 months.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 192 infants (46% females) from a prospective birth cohort.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Perinatal antibiotic exposure and infant sleep behavior: findings from the ABERRANT study. (Pediatric research, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Maternal antibiotics administered during delivery disrupt the developing infant intestinal microbiome
- ▸Microbiome disruption alters neurodevelopmental signaling pathways
- ▸Altered signaling affects sleep regulation centers in the developing brain
- ▸Result: Subtle changes in infant sleep behavior (higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio, fewer nighttime awakenings)
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸192 infants (46% females) from a prospective birth cohort
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Parent-reported sleep outcomes may be subject to recall bias or measurement error
- ▸Small to moderate effect sizes suggest clinical significance is uncertain
- ▸Observational design cannot establish causality; confounding factors may influence results
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio?▼
It is the proportion of total sleep occurring during daytime versus nighttime; a higher ratio indicates relatively more daytime sleep compared to nighttime sleep.
Does antibiotic exposure during pregnancy affect infant sleep?▼
The study found no significant associations for antibiotic exposure during the third trimester; only exposure during delivery was linked to sleep differences.
Are the sleep changes clinically significant?▼
The effect sizes were small to moderate, suggesting subtle alterations rather than overt sleep disturbances, so clinical significance is unclear.
What is the proposed mechanism linking antibiotics to sleep changes?▼
The study suggests that antibiotics disrupt the developing infant microbiome, which may in turn affect neurodevelopment and sleep regulation.
References
- 1.Markovic A, Kurth S, Zimmermann P. “Perinatal antibiotic exposure and infant sleep behavior: findings from the ABERRANT study..” Pediatric research, 2026. PMID: 42380320 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-026-05267-y