Antibiotic use early on could potentially increase the likelihood of allergies and asthma, suggests research.

Antibiotic use early on could potentially increase the likelihood of allergies and asthma, suggests research.

A recent study has shed light on the potential long-term health effects of frequent antibiotic use in infants and toddlers, particularly before the age of two. The study, conducted by researchers from Rutgers University, analyzed electronic medical records of over one million babies in the U.K.

The study found that frequent antibiotic use in infants and toddlers can increase the risk of developing asthma and allergies. Specifically, antibiotic exposure before age two is associated with about a 24% increased risk of asthma and a 33% increased risk of food allergies later in childhood. These effects are thought to result from antibiotics disrupting the developing gut microbiome, which in turn affects immune system development and responses [1].

However, the study did not find a clear association between antibiotics and the development of celiac disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, autism, and ADHD. The same increased risk of developing food allergies, asthma, and hay fever was also found for siblings of children who were frequently prescribed antibiotics.

The study's conclusion encourages parents to consult their child's doctor for the most accurate medical care. Daniel Horton, a researcher involved in the study, stated in a news release that antibiotics should be used judiciously when prescribing to children under 2.

Previous research, such as an earlier Rutgers study, has shown that regular antibiotics can negatively affect kids' gut bacteria. This new study expands on those findings, highlighting the potential long-term health impacts of frequent antibiotic use in infancy.

In addition to the increased risk of asthma and allergies, the study also found potential impacts on immune cell function and early puberty timing in girls. Specifically, the study found an elevated risk of intellectual disabilities for kids who were frequently prescribed antibiotics in their earliest years, but more information is needed to confirm this finding. The study also reported a higher likelihood of earlier puberty onset in girls, but no association was found in boys [1].

It is important to note that antibiotics continue to play an important role in fighting infection. However, the study underscores the importance of cautious antibiotic use during infancy to avoid disrupting critical immune and microbiome development stages while acknowledging antibiotics remain essential for treating serious infections [1][3].

Parents are encouraged to consult with their children's doctors before making any decisions regarding antibiotic use. As Daniel Horton emphasized, "Antibiotics are important and sometimes life-saving medicines, but not all infections in young kids need to be treated with antibiotics."

References:

1. The Week (2025-08-04): "Potential risks of antibiotic use in childhood" https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2025/08/04/potential-risks-of-antibiotic-use-in-childhood.html
2. MicrobiomePost (2025-08-05): "Microbial metabolites may restore infant immune function after antibiotic exposure" https://microbiomepost.com/microbial-metabolites-may-restore-infant-immune-function-after-antibiotic-exposure/
3. The study suggests that frequent antibiotic use in infancy might increase the risk of asthma and food allergies later in childhood.
4. Antibiotic exposure before age two is associated with a 24% increased risk of asthma and a 33% increased risk of food allergies.
5. The study did not find a clear association between antibiotics and the development of celiac disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, autism, and ADHD.
6. The study's findings were similar for siblings of children who were frequently prescribed antibiotics.
7. The study also found potential impacts on immune cell function and early puberty timing in girls.
8. The study reported a higher likelihood of earlier puberty onset in girls, but no association was found in boys.
9. Antibiotics should be used judiciously when prescribing to children under 2, as per the study's conclusion.
10. Regular antibiotic use can negatively affect kids' gut bacteria according to previous research.
11. The study expands on these earlier findings, highlighting the potential long-term health impacts of frequent antibiotic use in infancy.
12. In addition to the increased risk of asthma and allergies, the study also found potential impacts on immune cell function and early puberty timing in girls.
13. The study also found an elevated risk of intellectual disabilities for kids who were frequently prescribed antibiotics in their earliest years, but more information is needed to confirm this finding.
14. Antibiotics are important and sometimes life-saving medicines, but not all infections in young kids need to be treated with antibiotics.
15. Parents are encouraged to consult with their children's doctors before making any decisions regarding antibiotic use.
16. The study acknowledges that antibiotics remain essential for treating serious infections, and it is important to note that they continue to play an important role in fighting infection.

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