Antibiotics And Gastroesophageal Reflux Medications Administration Causes Allergies and Asthma In Babies

Antibiotics And Gastroesophageal Reflux Medications Administration Causes Allergies and Asthma In Babies
SHARE

Antibiotics and medications against gastroesophageal reflux may cause allergies and asthma in babies because they disrupt the good bacteria in the guts, according to a new study conducted in the US.

A study was conducted on approximately 800,000 babies

If administered before the age of 6 months, antibiotics and medications against gastroesophageal reflux may lead to asthma and allergies in infants. This is at least what an US-based study concluded. The results have been published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal.

Researchers followed nearly 800,000 babies born between 2001 and 2013 who were treated with antibiotics or drugs against gastroesophageal reflux (antihistamines and proton pump inhibitors).

Scientists observed that, in four years, more than half of the children have developed food or medicines allergies, rashes, asthma, or allergic rhinitis.

Antibiotics and medications against gastroesophageal reflux cause a disruption in the gut microbiota

Infants who followed a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux were observed to have two times higher risks to develop a food allergy, more particularly, an allergy to cow’s milk.

Those who were given antibiotics were twice as likely to develop asthma but also presented an increased risk of food allergy by 14% and anaphylaxis by 51%. A phenomenon that researchers explain by a disruption of the gut microbiota caused by antibiotics and medication against gastroesophageal reflux.

The researchers recommend to not give these medications to treat common problems in babies. It is not required to opt for such treatments if a baby regurgitates. “We must avoid overprescription of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections and other viral diseases,” concludes Dr. Cade Nylund, the lead author of the study.

In conclusion, the researchers pointed out that the overuse of antibiotics is not only causing some bacteria to become resistant to treatments but also antibiotics and medications against gastroesophageal reflux administered in babies of up to 6-month-old may cause increased risks of allergies and asthma in infants.


SHARE

Post Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.