Early-life Antibiotic Use Increases the Risk for Atopic Disease in Children

Antibiotic use in early life increases the risk for asthma and eczema in children, according to a recent study published in European Respiratory Society.

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study in twins aged 3 to 10 years (n=35,365) and a replication study in twins aged 9 years (n=7916).  Antibiotic use at ages 0 to 2 years was recorded. Parents reported doctor-diagnosed asthma and eczema when children were aged 3 to 12 years in both cohorts.

Antibiotic use in early life was associated with an increased risk of asthma and eczema in unmatched analyses. Co-twin analyses in monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs showed a similar result for asthma, but eczema had opposing results in both cohorts. Further, asthma risk was increased for antibiotics prescribed for respiratory infections but not with antibiotics prescribed for urinary tract or skin infections.

“Children exposed to early-life antibiotic use, particularly prescribed for respiratory infections, may be at higher risk of asthma,” concluded the study authors. “Our results could not elucidate whether the relationship between early-life antibiotic use and eczema is confounded by familial and genetic factors,” they added.

Reference
Slob EMA, Brew BK, Vijverberg SJH, et al. Early-life antibiotic use and risk of asthma and eczema: results of a discordant twin study. Eur Respir J. 2020;55(4):1902021. doi:10.1183/13993003.02021-2019