Antibiotic exposure during childhood linked to higher risk of IBS in young adults - News-Medical

Antibiotic use from childhood through early adulthood was associated with higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at age 24, with the odds increasing as the number of antibiotic prescriptions rose, according to a new study presented today at UEG Week 2026.

IBS is a common digestive disorder that affects more than 60 million people across Europe, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Whilst previous research has suggested a link between antibiotic use and IBS, evidence on whether childhood exposure is associated with IBS in adulthood remains inconsistent. Much of the existing evidence relies on people recalling past antibiotic use, with a lack of population-based studies using objectively recorded antibiotic data across childhood.