A study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital has found that children who are given antibiotics before they are seven months old are more prone to develop asthma and allergies to pets, ragweed, grass, and dust mites by the time they are seven years old.
But a child living in a house with two family pets – particularly dogs or cats – during his or her first year has a reduced risk for developing allergies or asthma. Breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of a child's developing asthma. However, if a mother has asthma or allergies, her child has an increased risk for allergies if he or she receives antibiotics during the first 6 months.
"I'm not suggesting children shouldn't receive antibiotics. But I believe we need to be more prudent in prescribing them for children at such an early age," said Christine Cole Johnson, PhD, lead author and senior researcher. "In the past, many antibiotics were prescribed unnecessarily, especially for viral infections like colds and the flu when they would have no effect anyway."
About the Study
The study involved an equal number of boys and girls – a total of nearly 450 children. Data about all prescribed antibiotics were collected from birth to seven years, and environmental samples were taken from the children's homes. All children were evaluated for allergies and asthma at age six or seven.
Nearly half the children (49 percent) received antibiotics, typically penicillin, within the first six months. Researchers found that:
- By age 7, children given at least one antibiotic in the first six months were 1.5 times more likely to develop allergies than those who did not receive antibiotics. They were 2.5 times more likely to develop asthma.
- By age 7, children given at least one antibiotic in the first six months and who lived with fewer than two pets were 1.7 times more likely to develop allergies, and three times more likely to develop asthma.
- By age 7, children given at least one antibiotic in the first six months and whose mother had a history of allergies were nearly twice as likely to develop allergies.
- By age 7, children given at least one antibiotic in the first six months and who were breastfed for more than four months were three times more likely to develop allergies. However, breastfeeding did not influence the risk between antibiotics and asthma.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourage liberal use of antibiotics, and state that America is overusing antibiotics, which can lead not only to allergies, but also to undesirable side effects and to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterium.
If your baby gets a cold, the best course is to let it run its course. Antibiotics are not effective against most viruses (including the cold) and cannot always help sick babies. However, if your doctor determines that your child does have an illness that is best treated by antibiotics (such as an ear infection), be sure to give your child all the doses for the full course. |
