Perinatal antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with altered sleep behavior in infants at 2 and 6 months of age.
In a prospective birth cohort study of 192 infants, indirect antibiotic exposure during delivery was associated with a higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio and fewer nighttime awakenings at 2 and 6 months. Effect sizes were small to moderate, suggesting subtle alterations in sleep behavior rather than overt sleep disturbance.
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Perinatal antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with altered sleep behavior in infants at 2 and 6 months of age. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Perinatal antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with altered sleep behavior in infants at 2 and 6 months of age.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 192 infants (46% females) from a prospective birth cohort study.
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 antibiotic administration during delivery
- ▸Disruption of developing infant intestinal microbiome
- ▸Alteration of microbiome-gut-brain axis signaling
- ▸Subtle changes in infant sleep regulation
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸192 infants (46% females) from a prospective birth cohort study
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Parent-reported sleep outcomes may be subject to recall bias
- ▸Observational study design cannot establish causality
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main finding of the ABERRANT study?▼
The study found that indirect antibiotic exposure during delivery is associated with subtle differences in infant sleep behavior, specifically a higher daytime-to-nighttime sleep ratio and fewer nighttime awakenings at 2 and 6 months.
How many infants were included in this study?▼
The study included 192 infants, of which 46% were female.
What type of study was the ABERRANT study?▼
It was a prospective birth cohort study using linear mixed-effects models to analyze associations.
Were the observed sleep changes considered clinically significant?▼
No, the effect sizes were small to moderate, indicating subtle alterations rather than overt sleep disturbance.
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