Babies prescribed antibiotics face higher asthma risk

January 7th, 2011 - 6:28 pm ICT by IANS  

Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Babies under six months who are prescribed antibiotics face up to 70 percent greater risk of developing asthma.In a survey, such infants faced a 40 percent rise in risk after being prescribed a single course of treatment, according to Yale University researchers.

But the dangers swelled by 70 percent if another round of drugs for such conditions were to be given, the American Journal of Epidemiology reports.

Yale researchers surveyed 1,400 children to examine whether early use of antiobiotics caused asthma by six years of age, according to a Yale statement.

They chose infants under six months treated for non chest-related infections, including those born into families with no history of asthma.

They concluded that antibiotics prevented gut bugs from fending off infection in the very early stages.

“Antibiotic use… may alter microbial flora in the gut, thereby causing imbalances in the immune system and a poor allergic response,” said Kari Risnes, who led the study at Yale.

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