Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

9.6K

Consequences of antibiotics and infections in infancy: bugs, drugs, and wheezing

Mei-Sing Ong1, Dale T Umetsu2, Kenneth D Mandl3

  • 1Australian Institute for Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Children's Hospital Informatics Program at Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|March 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Infant antibiotic exposure is linked to early-onset childhood asthma, with more antibiotic courses increasing the risk. Researchers recommend caution with unnecessary antibiotic use in infants to mitigate this association.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Childhood asthma prevalence has risen significantly in recent decades.
  • Early-life antibiotic exposure is hypothesized to disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially predisposing infants to asthma.
  • Investigating the link between infant antibiotic use and asthma development is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between antibiotic exposure in the first year of life and the development of asthma up to age 7.
  • To analyze the relationship between antibiotic use and specific asthma phenotypes: transient wheezing, late-onset asthma, and persistent asthma.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective population-based study analyzed data from 62,576 children in the US.
  • Children were part of a nationwide employer-provided health insurance plan from 1999-2006.
  • Asthma development was tracked up to age 7, categorizing phenotypes based on onset and persistence.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic use in the first year of life was associated with increased odds of transient wheezing (OR 2.0) and persistent asthma (OR 1.6).
  • A dose-response relationship was observed; 5 or more antibiotic courses doubled the odds of persistent asthma (OR 1.9).
  • No significant association was found between infant antibiotic use and late-onset asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Infant antibiotic use is associated with a higher risk of early-onset childhood asthma (before age 3).
  • The observed dose-response effect highlights the impact of antibiotic frequency.
  • Avoiding unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for infants is strongly advised to reduce asthma risk.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

14.6K
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis08:46

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Published on: August 12, 2020

5.5K

Related Concept Videos

Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
112
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
55
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.6K
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
5.2K
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and...
219
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
3.5K