[Madeline410]

I just read that babies who receive even one dose of antibiotics within their first 12 months have more than double the risk of developing asthma later on. And that each additional dose increases the possibility by 16%. They have done 8 studies in the US and Canada.


Mason has had antibiotics twice now does that mean he has a 66% chance of getting asthma?! They say "although kids with asthma may simply get more infections that require antibiotics, the researchers theorize that excessive use of these drugs also decreases the natural exposure to germs and overstimulants the immune system's response to allergens, which may lead to asthma"

[crunchymama]

where'd you read that? do you have the link?

[little_pockit]

i look at it this way...

i would much rather *possibly* increase my babies risk for asthma than run the risk of them becoming seriously ill if they do not get the antibiotics. i know it seems naive, but so far so good.

[Tanya G]

I didnt know that. I heard to avoid anti-biotics if at all possible becuase their immune systems get weaker or something but I wasnt sure exactly why. Is asthma genetic? Does anyone in your family have it?

[little_pockit]

i know that repetitive use of antibiotics can build up your bodies resistance to the antibiotics, but i i don't about making your immune system weakening because of them. although, it does make sense. also, many of the the bacteria are growing resistant to some antibiotics because of overuse.

[AmyT]

Ah maddie...don't worry too much. I think they were correct to say that babies who are going to have asthma just tend to have more infections. I always had ear infections and took antibiotics a lot as a baby and I never developed asthma. I would just make sure and not give him antibiotics unless I knew he needed them. Mason will be just fine!

[Madeline410]

where'd you read that? do you have the link?[/b]

Actually I read it in a parenting magazine (I'll have to check which one when I get home)

Here is a link with different stats... http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4212

I hope you are right Amy... that makes sense!