A recent study has shown that antibiotics given to women in premature labour can be harmful to the babies. Researchers in UK found that the antibiotics given to delay premature birth increase the chances of cerebral palsy in babies. Cerebral palsy is the result of the failure of a part of the brain to develop before birth or in early childhood or brain damage. It can cause physical impairments and mobility problems. One in 400 births is affected by it. Infections during pregnancy or infancy can cause cerebral palsy.

Researchers found 35 cases of cerebral palsy in 769 children of women without early broken waters given antibiotics as compared to 12 cases among 735 children of women not given the drugs. Researchers said that among women whose waters had not broken, giving antibiotics was associated with increased risk of cerebral palsy in the children and problems such as poor eyesight or hearing not only at birth but for decades beyond.  

Researchers added that the reasons behind this association are not clear. Researchers found no increased risk of cerebral palsy in women whose waters had broken. Authorities have issued warnings regarding adverse effects of antibiotics to delay premature labour on the babies. Doctors shouldn’t indiscriminately prescribe antibiotics to pregnant women

Liam Donaldson, UK's chief medical officer, said that the antibiotics should "not routinely be given" to women in premature labour where there was no sign of infection and whose waters had not broken, in line with "existing good clinical practice". 

CMO added that the pregnant women should not feel concerned about taking antibiotics when there is obvious infection; antibiotics can be life-saving for both mother and baby.