Eczema May Be Linked To Antibiotic Use In Babies

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health Article Date: 05 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT

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New research has found that use of antibiotics in early childhood may increase the risk of developing eczema by up to 40%.

The study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, showed that children with eczema are more likely to have been treated with antibiotics in their first year of life.

The research also revealed that each additional course of antibiotics may increase the risk of eczema by a further 7%.

The researchers, from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the University of Nottingham in the UK, analyzed data from 20 separate studies involving children and young adults aged up to 25.

The studies looked at exposure to antibiotics before birth and up to one year after, and the subsequent development of eczema.

It was found that infants are more likely to develop eczema if they had antibiotics within their first year of life, but not prenatally.

One study author, Dr Teresa Tsakok of Guy's and St Thomas' says: "One potential explanation is that broad-spectrum antibiotics alter the gut microflora and that this in turn affects the maturing immune system in a way that promotes allergic disease development."

Dr Carsten Flohr, the paper's senior author said:

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Eczema May Be Linked To Antibiotic Use In Babies