Early-life antibiotic exposure and childhood food allergy: A  systematic review

Use of antibiotics in children has increased over the last few decades. Concurrent with this, there has also been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases, including food allergy. A  large study in Australia reported that nearly one in five 12-month-old infants is sensitized to at least 1 food, and more than 10% have challenge-proved food allergy.1 Several studies suggest a relationship between antibiotic exposure and allergic disease, particularly asthma and eczema.2 Antibiot ics might promote the development of allergy by interfering with the microbiome-dependent normal maturation of the immune system through an imbalance in T-cell maturation favoring a TH2 cell response.
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research