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Source - NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A report in Chest 2006; 129:610-618 suggests that exposure to antibiotics in the first year of
life may increase the risk of developing asthma later in childhood. In fact, there may even be a higher risk with each additional course of antibiotics.
The researchers noted that the prevalence of asthma in western countries has increased over the last three decades. In the same period
there has been a greater exposure of infants to antibiotics, but epidemiologic evidence linking antibiotic use with asthma risk is conflicting.
To review the available evidence, the researchers identified seven studies which included 12,082 children and 1817 asthma cases that
specifically examined the relationship between being given at least one prescription for an antibiotic in the first year of life and the development of physician-diagnosed asthma between the ages of 1
and 18 years.
Overall, the pooled data showed that the likelihood of developing asthma was doubled among children with antibiotic exposure before 1
year of age.
For more information go to: http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2006/03/13/eline/links/20060313elin036 .html
Prepared by Susan Wileman Medicines Information Technician
Date of Preparation: 14th March 2006
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