Antibiotics allergy link for babies

DOCTORS from The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital have launched a pilot study that will be the first to examine how the use of antibiotics during pregnancy and childbirth could be contributing to a rise in allergies.

Doctors noted the use of antibiotics had been rising over the past two decades.

Associate Professor Victoria Eley said her peers had found when a baby was exposed to antibiotics, it influenced the type of bacteria that grew in their mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

The first stage of the pilot study will focus on babies born by caesarean, with one group of women receiving antibiotics and another group not receiving the medicine.