Researchers in a newly conducted study found that taking antibiotics can increase kids’ risk of developing juvenile arthritis. Findings of the study were published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

The study researchers noted that children who were prescribed antibiotics had twice the risk of developing the inflammatory autoimmune disease of the joints and eyes compared with those the same age who didn’t take antibiotics.

Researchers for the study analyzed data from more than 400, 000 British children, and 152 out of the total had juvenile arthritis.

According to researchers, “This public health finding is potentially important, considering that approximately one-quarter of antibiotics prescribed for children, and an estimated one-half of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections, may be unnecessary and potentially avoidable”.

Study findings showed that the higher the number of doses a kid took, the higher was the risk of developing juvenile arthritis. Researchers examined the potential link because some earlier conducted studies showed that antibiotics disrupt microbes in the gut and can predispose kids to autoimmune diseases.

Researchers cautioned that a majority of kids end up taking antibiotics, whereas only about 1 in 1,000 kids develop arthritis, therefore it can’t be the said as the only factor behind the condition.

Researchers who participated in the study were from Rutgers University, University of Pennsylvania and Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.