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European Journal of Medical Research

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Antibiotic | Research

Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy increases risk for childhood atopic diseases: a nationwide cohort study

Authors: Sheng-Kang Tai, Yi-Hsuan Lin, Ching-Heng Lin, Ming-Chih Lin

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Purpose

The prevalence of atopic diseases has increased in recent decades. A possible link between antibiotic use during pregnancy and childhood atopic disease has been proposed. The aim of this study is to explore the association of antibiotic exposure during pregnancy with childhood atopic diseases from a nationwide, population-based perspective.

Methods

This was a nationwide population-based cohort study. Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database was the main source of data. The pairing of mothers and children was achieved by linking the NHIRD with the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database. This study enrolled the first-time pregnancies from 2004 to 2010. Infants of multiple delivery, preterm delivery, and death before 5 years old were excluded. All participants were followed up at least for 5 years. Antenatal antibiotics prescribed to mothers during the pregnancy period were reviewed. Children with more than two outpatient visits, or one admission, with a main diagnosis of asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis were regarded as having an atopic disease.

Results

A total of 900,584 children were enrolled in this study. The adjusted hazard ratios of antibiotic exposure during pregnancy to childhood atopic diseases were 1.12 for atopic dermatitis, 1.06 for asthma, and 1.08 for allergic rhinitis, all of which reached statistical significance. The trimester effect was not significant. There was a trend showing the higher the number of times a child was prenatally exposed to antibiotics, the higher the hazard ratio was for childhood atopic diseases.

Conclusions

Prenatal antibiotic exposure might increase the risk of childhood atopic diseases in a dose-dependent manner.

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Title: Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy increases risk for childhood atopic diseases: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Sheng-Kang Tai
Yi-Hsuan Lin
Ching-Heng Lin
Ming-Chih Lin
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Antibiotic
Allergic Rhinitis
Atopic Dermatitis
Bronchial Asthma
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-024-01793-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy increases risk for childhood atopic diseases: a nationwide cohort study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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