Prolonged early-life antibiotic exposure alters gut microbiota but does not exacerbate lung injury in a rat pup model

Prolonged early-life antibiotic exposure decreased gut microbial diversity in rat pups. Antibiotics-exposed groups exhibited a trend of reduced weight gain compared to controls, although the difference was not statistically significant. Despite the observed alterations in the gut microbiota, there were no significant differences in the severity of subsequent acute lung injury between the groups with and without prolonged antibiotic exposure. The study findings advocate for a more judicious use of antibiotics in neonates, emphasizing that appropriate antibiotic stewardship is critical for preserving gut health and may also support growth.