Researchers in Canada at the University of British Columbia have found that children who are given antibiotics in the first year of life are twice as likely to develop childhood asthma as those who do not take the drug.
Antibiotics are not as freely issued as they once were, but are still an important part of successfully treating ear infections and chest infections (not viruses).
The research, led by principal investigator Dr Fawziah Marra, examined previous data on over 20,000 children as well as tracing the histories of 12,000 children in their own study. The organisation Asthma UK welcomes any research that might offer more insight into the rising incidence of childhood asthma.
To find out more about childhood asthma, visit the Asthma UK website.
To find out more about the research work of the University of British Colombia, visit the UBC website.
If your child is prescribed any drugs by your own GP you should discuss any questions with him or her or get in touch with NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
