Risk seen for asthma, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and intellectual disability<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Children receiving multiple antibiotic courses between birth and age 2 years may have a higher risk for some chronic conditions, according to a study published online April 16 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases<\/em>.<\/p>\n Matthew A. Beier, M.D., from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, and colleagues evaluated associations between early-childhood antibiotic exposure (between birth and age 2 years) and allergic, autoimmune, or neurodevelopmental\/psychiatric conditions. The analysis included electronic health record data from roughly 1.1 million children in the United Kingdom (1987 to 2020).<\/p>\n The researchers found that early antibiotic exposure was positively associated with asthma (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24), food allergy (HR, 1.33), and allergic rhinitis (HR, 1.06). Stronger associations were seen following multiple antibiotic courses. Similar findings were seen from sibling-matched analyses. There was a dose-dependent association between early-childhood antibiotic exposure and intellectual disability (five or more versus one to two courses: HR, 1.73; sibling-matched: HR, 2.79). No significant associations were seen for celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, or anxiety.<\/p>\n “Antibiotics play a critical role in combating bacterial infections, but physicians should be judicious when prescribing antibiotics to children under 2, as frequent use may affect long-term health outcomes,” coauthor Daniel B. Horton, M.D., from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, said in a statement.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n