Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic ailment marked by stomach pain, recurring infections and the potential need for surgery.
The incidence of childhood IBD has doubled over the past decade.
Now, a study in the journal Pediatrics finds a possible link between IBD and a class of drugs called anti-anaerobic antibiotics. They include penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, and tetracyclines.
Researchers found those exposed to this class of drugs had an 84 percent higher chance of developing IBD. They suggest curbing the use of these drugs could also curb the rise of childhood IBD.
