Group B Strep & Infant Antibiotics: Autism Risk & Gut Health

Question
Hi,

I had a baby in September and I was group B positive, so I received antibiotics.  I was in labor for 17 hours and pushed for 3 hours.  I started getting a fever during labor, so my baby was given antibiotics when he was born.  His cultures were negative.  Since I was given antibiotics and my baby was giving antibiotics, is he at higher risk for autism?  I have read that antibiotics during labor and given to a baby at birth could kill the good bacteria in the baby's gut and make it more prone to autism?

Answer
There is absolutely no merit in what you have read. Antibiotics are not known to cause autism and hence you can relax. We routinely prescribe antibiotics to very young children and we have not seen any such complication as you mention. Hence just relax.

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