The influence of treatment with antibiotics in the first year of life on the prevalence of asthma and atopic dermatitis in children
Abstract
Background: Several factors have been implicated in the rising prevalence of allergic sensitisation and asthma. Early life exposure to allergens, viral and bacterial infections has an important influence on developing immune system. Human microflora and her changes in newborn and small child are very important for the maturation of the immune system. Frequent treatment with antibiotics alters the intestinal microflora and may lead to the development of allergic diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of treatment with antibiotics and choice of antibiotic in the first year of life on the prevalence of asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) in 5 year old children.
Materials and methods: 582 children, exclusively breast-fed for 6 months, with a positive history of parental allergy, were included in this prospective study. At the age of one year they were divided into two
groups according to whether they had been treated with antibiotics in the first year of life: group A: children treated with antibiotics; group B: untreated children. They were divided into three groups (groups I, II, III) according to the choice of antibiotic. Diagnosis of asthma and atopic dermatitis was ascertained with the ISAAC core, specific IgE testing and positive skin prick testes.
Results: 29.5 % of children in group A developed asthma before the age of 5 years, compared to 4.7 % in group B. The prevalence of AD was higher in group A (39.6 %) than in group B (11.7 %). The differences between groups A and B were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). A higher prevalence of asthma and AD was found among children treated at least twice with antibiotics (P < 0.0001). Treatment with cephalosporins was associated with a higher prevalence of asthma (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The study confirmed that the use of antibiotics during the first year of life has an unfavourable influence on the prevalence of asthma and AD in 5-year-old children.
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References
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