Antibiotics in Womb Linked to Asthma in Child

In a large British study, researchers found that exposure to antibiotics in the mother's womb was associated, in a dose-related manner, with an increased risk of asthma in the child. The study was published in the September 15, 2002, issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

In the study of 24,690 children, the investigators examined antibiotic use of the mother and the development of various infections in the mother during pregnancy. These included viral and bacterial infections such as those seen in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts as swell as conjunctivitis, otitis media, and candida. About one-third of the women were prescribed one or more courses of antibiotics during pregnancy.

The researchers found the exposure to antibiotics and infections in the mother's womb was associated with an increased incidence of asthma, eczema, and hay fever in their children. Slightly more than 20% of the children were diagnosed with asthma or wheeze, while just over 31% were diagnosed with eczema. The study was conducted by researchers in the division of respiratory medicine at the University of Nottingham.




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