Infants who are given antacids like Zantac or Pepcid are more likely to develop childhood allergies, because these drugs may alter their gut bacteria, a new large study suggests.
A study in nearly 800000 children has shown that early use of antibiotics in infants raised the chances of allergies.
Researchers followed the health records of kids born between 2001 and 2013 and covered by Tricare, an insurance program for active duty and retired military personnel and their families. A surprising 9 per cent of the babies received antacids, reflecting the popularity of treating reflux in infancy.
Over four years, more than half of all the children developed allergies to foods or medications, rashes, asthma, hay fever or other allergic diseases. The study,however did not prove reasons, but the connection with antacids and antibiotics was strong.
For children who received an antacid during their first six months, the chances of developing a food allergy doubled; the chances of developing a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis or hay fever were about 50 per cent higher. For babies who received antibiotics, the chances doubled for asthma and were at least 50 per cent higher for hay fever and anaphylaxis.
Although, it is possible medications were given to infants who already had allergies and were misdiagnosed. But that didn't seem likely to explain all of the strong effect they discovered.
Gut bacteria play a role in a healthy immune system. Antibiotics and antacids might change the makeup of a baby's microbiome, perhaps enough to cause an overreaction in the immune system that shows up as an allergy.
Antacids also change the way protein is digested and some may alter development of immune system pathways.
Study co-author and pediatrician Dr. Cade Nylund of Uniformed Services advised parents to try offering fussy babies smaller amounts of food more often and frequent burping during meals.
Fussy babies babies that have a tendency to fuss, cry, or be ill-tempered.
A study in nearly 800000 children has shown that early use of antibiotics in infants raised the chances of allergies.
Researchers followed the health records of kids born between 2001 and 2013 and covered by Tricare, an insurance program for active duty and retired military personnel and their families. A surprising 9 per cent of the babies received antacids, reflecting the popularity of treating reflux in infancy.
Over four years, more than half of all the children developed allergies to foods or medications, rashes, asthma, hay fever or other allergic diseases. The study,however did not prove reasons, but the connection with antacids and antibiotics was strong.
For children who received an antacid during their first six months, the chances of developing a food allergy doubled; the chances of developing a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis or hay fever were about 50 per cent higher. For babies who received antibiotics, the chances doubled for asthma and were at least 50 per cent higher for hay fever and anaphylaxis.
Although, it is possible medications were given to infants who already had allergies and were misdiagnosed. But that didn't seem likely to explain all of the strong effect they discovered.
Gut bacteria play a role in a healthy immune system. Antibiotics and antacids might change the makeup of a baby's microbiome, perhaps enough to cause an overreaction in the immune system that shows up as an allergy.
Antacids also change the way protein is digested and some may alter development of immune system pathways.
Study co-author and pediatrician Dr. Cade Nylund of Uniformed Services advised parents to try offering fussy babies smaller amounts of food more often and frequent burping during meals.
Fussy babies babies that have a tendency to fuss, cry, or be ill-tempered.
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