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The relationship between antibiotic therapy in early childhood and the symptoms of allergy in children aged 6–8 years — the questionnaire study results

  • Original papers
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International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Introduction

Studies based on the ISAAC questionnaire suggest a correlation between the use of antibiotics and the prevalence of asthma and allergy in children aged 6–7 years. The number of courses of antibiotic therapy is an important factor.

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between the use of antibiotics during the first years of life and the prevalence of allergy and asthma among children (aged 6–8 years) in the urban population of Poland.

Materials and Methods

A survey-based study with a self-completed questionnaire. The respondents were parents of children aged 6-8 years living in Warszawa, Poland. 1461 completed questionnaires were collected.

Results

Asthma was declared in 4.3% of the children. Wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi within 12 months before the study was observed in 13.5% of the cases. Asthma medication was taken by 21.8% of the children. Allergic rhinitis was declared in 18.7% of the children. Problems with sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion not associated with cold or fever were observed in 40.7% of the children. The analysis of the odds ratios between the use of antibiotics and the symptoms of allergic diseases revealed a clear correlation. The highest odds ratio was observed between the completion of over three courses of antibiotic therapy prior to the age of 12 months and the declaration of one of the following: asthma (OR = 5.59, 95% CI: 2.6–12.01), wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi (OR = 4.68, 95% CI: 3.01–7.27) and taking medicines for breathlessness (OR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.42–7.68).

Conclusions

There is a direct relationship between antibiotic use in the first 3 years of life and asthma and allergy symptoms in children aged 6–8 years old.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland

    Filip Raciborski, Aneta Tomaszewska, Jarosław Komorowski, Piotr Samel-Kowalik, Artur Z. Białoszewski, Walkiewicz Artur, Adam Lusawa, Jakub Szymański, Dagmara Opoczyńska, Michał Drużba, Jacek Borowicz, Agnieszka Lipiec & Bolesław Samoliński

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology, Warszawa, Poland

    Filip Raciborski

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Wojciech J. Kapalczynski

  4. Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1A, 02-097, Warszawa, Poland

    Filip Raciborski

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  1. Filip Raciborski
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  2. Aneta Tomaszewska
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  14. Bolesław Samoliński
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Correspondence to Filip Raciborski.

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Raciborski, F., Tomaszewska, A., Komorowski, J. et al. The relationship between antibiotic therapy in early childhood and the symptoms of allergy in children aged 6–8 years — the questionnaire study results. IJOMEH 25, 470–480 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/S13382-012-0056-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/S13382-012-0056-0

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