InUtero Antibiotic Exposure is Tied to Asthma Risk in Kids
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting >10% of children worldwide. In a recent study, researchers have reported that antibiotic exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma, especially in vaginally born children. The study findings were published in the Archives of Disease in Children on February 09, 2021.
Prenatal antibiotic use may result in fetal exposure, as at least 11 types of broad-spectrum antibiotics cross the placenta, including penicillins, tetracyclines and lincosamides. Several longitudinal and meta-analysis have indicated that antibiotic exposure during infancy is a risk factor for asthma. However, the findings have been conflicting and the association of timing of antibiotic administration and mode of delivery with the asthma risk remains unclear. Therefore, Cecilie Skaarup Uldbjerg, MPH and colleagues conducted a study to investigate whether antibiotic exposure during pregnancy was associated with childhood asthma and if this relationship was conditional on the timing of exposure and mode of delivery.
It was a cohort study using data from the Danish National Birth Cohort, a longitudinal birth cohort that included approximately 30% of all pregnant women in Denmark during the study period, 1996 through 2002. Among 96 832 children in the cohort, 32 651children were included in the study. Among all children, 17% had mothers who used antibiotics during their pregnancy. The major outcome assessed was parent-reported childhood asthma at 11 years.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.