Infants exposed to maternal acid suppressants and antibiotics at higher risk of food allergy

There is a lack of data on the association between maternal acid suppressant medication and antibiotic use for food allergy in infants. Researchers studied this association by analyzing data of MARC-5 of infants who had a history of hospitalization with bronchiolitis with a median age was three months at enrolment. The information on maternal ASM use of proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists was obtained from parent reports.

Based on the algorithm, children were categorized as likely, possible or unlikely food allergies to milk, egg, peanut, and tree nut at 12 months. This algorithm utilized parent reports, chart reviews, and serum-specific IgE and skin testing.

The study results could be summarised as follows:

• A total of 921 infants were followed longitudinally.
• One hundred forty-four infants constituting 16%, had a history of maternal ASM exposure.
• Four hundred fourteen infants constituting 46%, had antibiotic exposure.
• At the age of 1 year, nearly 1.4 % (13 infants), 2.1 % (19 infants) and 82 % (754 infants) had likely food allergy, possible food allergy and unlikely food allergy.
• Following adjustments, the odds of FA (possible and likely) were higher with maternal ASM exposure and maternal antibiotic exposure, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.33 and 3.54, respectively, than with children without exposure.

The researchers found higher odds of food allergy development at such an early age in infants tied to Maternal ASM and antibiotic exposure. It is essential for physicians to discuss the risk and benefits of maternal medication use with pregnant women.

Further investigations are warranted on the relationship between maternal medications and FA risk during later childhood.