Antibiotics Linked to Asthma in Children

June 2007

A new study has revealed a link between the use of antibiotics and the development of asthma in children. Results show that taking antibiotics within the first year of a child’s life could increase their chances of having asthma anywhere from 20 to 50 percent by the age of seven.

The more courses of antibiotics taken by the child, the greater their risk of developing asthma. Only one or two courses saw a 20 percent increase, while three to four saw a 30 percent growth of risk. More than four courses saw a 50 percent greater risk of a child developing asthma.

The findings show that antibiotics may actually destroy healthy microbes in very young children. This may hinder the growth and development of a strong immune system. Of the 13,116 children involved in the study, six percent developed asthma.