Think Twice Before Giving Your Baby Antibiotics—It May Lead To Allergies Later! (Image Credits: iStock)
A new study warns that giving antibiotics too often to babies under the age of 2 could raise their chances of developing asthma and food allergies later in life. Researchers found that early antibiotic use might disturb gut bacteria during a key stage of development, leading to long-term health concerns.
Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, the study tracked the health records of over 1 million children in the United Kingdom. The findings show that babies who were given antibiotics before turning two had a 24 per cent higher risk of developing asthma and a 33 per cent higher risk of food allergies as they grew older. They also had a 6 per cent increased risk of developing seasonal allergies like hay fever.
“Antibiotics play a critical role in fighting infections, but we must be careful with how we use them, especially in very young children,” said Dr Daniel Horton, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research.
He explained that while antibiotics are life-saving medications, overusing them in babies may interfere with how their gut microbiome—the good bacteria in the digestive system—develops. A healthy gut microbiome is important for training the immune system and protecting against allergic diseases.
The research team followed children up to the age of 12 and compared those who had been treated with antibiotics early on with those who had not. The study found a clear link between early antibiotic exposure and increased risks of asthma and allergies. However, they did not find any strong evidence linking antibiotics to other long-term conditions like ADHD, autism, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr Horton noted, “Parents should not be afraid to give their children antibiotics when truly necessary, but they should always ask their doctor if antibiotics are the right treatment. Not every infection, especially in babies and toddlers, needs antibiotics.”
When Should Parents See a Doctor?
While it's important not to overuse antibiotics, it's just as important to recognise when medical care is needed. Parents should contact a doctor if:
Their child has a high fever (above 100.4 degrees F in babies under 3 months)
Doctors can help decide whether antibiotics are needed and suggest alternatives for viral infections, like rest, fluids, and fever control.
The study explains the need for careful use of antibiotics in young children. While they are essential in many situations, using them too frequently during early childhood could raise the risk of developing asthma and allergies. Talking openly with your child’s doctor and using antibiotics only when necessary can help protect your child’s long-term health.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
