Prenatal Azithromycin Exposure and Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children - Takeaways - MDSpire

Prenatal Azithromycin Exposure and Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children

  • By

  • Marianne N. Otoo

  • Kimford J. Meador

  • Todd Brothers

  • Thomas Lavoie

  • Nicole J. Asal

  • Brian J. Quilliam

  • Don Keon Yon

  • Carmen Monthe-Dreze

  • Kristina E. Ward

  • Jing Wu

  • Adam K. Lewkowitz

  • Xuerong Wen

  • May 12, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Azithromycin is commonly prescribed during pregnancy for various infections, with 3% of pregnant women in the US using this antibiotic.

  • 2

    The study evaluates the association between prenatal azithromycin exposure and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

  • 3

    Data from a longitudinal cohort study spanning 13 years was used to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to azithromycin.

  • 4

    Neurodevelopmental disorders assessed include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and speech and language disorders, among others.

  • 5

    The study aims to inform safer antibiotic selection during pregnancy by comparing outcomes of azithromycin exposure to other antibiotics.

Original Source(s)

Prenatal Azithromycin Exposure and Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children

  • by Marianne N. Otoo, Kimford J. Meador, Todd Brothers, Thomas Lavoie, Nicole J. Asal, Brian J. Quilliam, Don Keon Yon, Carmen Monthe-Dreze, Kristina E. Ward, Jing Wu, Adam K. Lewkowitz, Xuerong Wen

  • May 12, 2026

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