Prenatal antibiotic use and risk of childhood wheeze/asthma: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis suggests that antibiotic exposure during pregnancy may increase the risk of wheeze/asthma in childhood. Besides, the risk of developing wheeze/asthma in childhood was marked during last two trimesters of pregnancy. Future studies of large-size and prospective cohorts which adequately address concerns for confounder bias are needed to examine the relationship between antibiotic use and risk of childhood asthma.

Meta-analysis of antenatal infection and risk of asthma and eczema

“…[29] Other potential risk factors associated with childhood asthma include preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal antibiotic use during pregnancy. [30–32] Previous studies found an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight due to maternal infection during pregnancy. [7–9] A comprehensive meta-analysis by Zhao et al [32] showed that antenatal antibiotics were significantly associated with asthma or wheezing in childhood.…”

“…[30–32] Previous studies found an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight due to maternal infection during pregnancy. [7–9] A comprehensive meta-analysis by Zhao et al [32] showed that antenatal antibiotics were significantly associated with asthma or wheezing in childhood. In the present study, only 3 included studies (1 for eczema and 2 for asthma) reported that maternal infection was significantly associated with asthma and eczema after adjustment for maternal antibiotic usage, [1,2,15] suggesting that maternal infection might be an independent risk factor for asthma in children.…”

Risk and Protective Factors for Childhood Asthma: What Is the Evidence?

“…In a meta-analysis of 10 studies (7 cohort studies and 3 case-control studies) 10 , maternal use of antibiotics during pregnancy was associated with 1.2 times increased odds of childhood wheeze or asthma, but there was high heterogeneity across studies. After excluding case-control studies and prospective studies of inadequate quality, the association remained significant and of similar magnitude (pooled OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.11 to 1.26), but the heterogeneity across studies was markedly decreased (I 2 =46.7%).…”

Prenatal exposures and the development of childhood wheezing illnesses

“…Four new studies examined the association of prenatal exposure to antibiotics and childhood wheezing illnesses while taking into account the possibility of confounding, with somewhat contradictory results [29–32]. In a meta-analysis of 10 observational studies published up to September 2014, Zhao et al found that maternal exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy increased the odds of childhood wheeze or asthma up to age 14 years by ~20% [29].…”

“…In a meta-analysis of 10 observational studies published up to September 2014, Zhao et al found that maternal exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy increased the odds of childhood wheeze or asthma up to age 14 years by ~20% [29]. The authors noted a high heterogeneity between studies; however, the association persisted in subgroup analyses according to the study design, how the use of antibiotics was assessed, and the age of childhood wheeze or asthma onset.…”