A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Neonatal and early infancy antibiotic exposure is associated with childhood atopic dermatitis, wheeze and asthma
Authors: Räty, Santeri; Ollila, Helena; Turta, Olli; Pärtty, Anna; Peltola, Ville; Lagström, Hanna; Lempainen, Johanna; Rautava, Samuli
Publisher: Springer
Publication year: 2024
Journal: European Journal of Pediatrics
Journal name in source: European journal of pediatrics
Journal acronym: Eur J Pediatr
Volume: 183
First page : 5191
Last page: 5202
ISSN: 0340-6199
eISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-024-05775-1
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-024-05775-1
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/458301405
Antibiotics are frequently administered in the neonatal period and early infancy. Little is known about the long-term health consequences of early life antibiotic exposure. The objective is to investigate the association between neonatal and early life (0-6 months) antibiotic treatment and the development of atopic dermatitis, asthma and the use of inhaled corticosteroid medication later in childhood. We analyzed data obtained from hospital records and national registers in a cohort of 11,255 children. The association between early antibiotic exposure and the outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression. Confounding factors were included in the model. Neonatal antibiotic therapy for confirmed infection was associated with childhood atopic dermatitis (adjusted odds ratio 1.49; 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.94). Antibiotic therapy by six months of age was more common in children developing atopic dermatitis (adjusted odds ratio 1.38; 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.64), asthma (adjusted odds ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval 1.32- 1.85) and inhaled corticosteroid medication use (adjusted odds ratio 1.88; 95% confidence interval 1.66-2.13). Conclusions: Neonatal antibiotic therapy for confirmed or clinically diagnosed infection is associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis later in childhood. Antibiotic treatment before six months of age is associated with atopic dermatitis, asthma and inhaled corticosteroid use. What is known: • The use of antibiotics early in life has been associated with an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis or asthma. • Confounding by indication or reverse causation may underlie the observed associations. What is new: • Our results demonstrate that neonatal antibiotic therapy for confirmed or clinically diagnosed infection was associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis and antibiotic treatment before six months of age was associated with atopic dermatitis, asthma and inhaled corticosteroid use in analyses adjusted for confounding factors.
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Funding information in the publication:
Open Access funding provided by University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital). The Finnish Foundation for Pediatric Research (Räty, Rautava), The Finnish Medical Foundation (Räty, Lempainen), Maaherra Wilho Kyttä Foundation (Räty).
