Asthma and Antibiotics

A study by the Henry Ford Health System indicated that babies given antibiotics within their first six months of life were two and a half times more likely to develop asthma by the age of seven than those who had not received them. Perhaps this indicates that infants who were more prone to getting ill and requiring antibiotics were then prone to later devloping allergies resulting in asthma.

Or is it because babies who receive antibiotics have little good bacteria in their digestive systems, and perhaps this can lead to allergies? Some experts believe that probiotics should be given to a child during antibiotic treatment to help alleviate allergic reactions later in life.

Are infants who have allergies more likely to get sick during the first six months? Or does the use of antibiotics increase the risk of allergies? Or perhaps both?

Also See: Overuse of Antibiotics