title: The relationship between antibiotic therapy in early childhood and the symptoms of allergy in children aged 6-8 years - the questionnaire study results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies based on the ISAAC questionnaire suggest a correlation between the use of antibiotics and the prevalence of asthma and allergy in children aged 6-7 years. The number of courses of antibiotic therapy is an important factor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between the use of antibiotics during the first years of life and the prevalence of allergy and asthma among children (aged 6-8 years) in the urban population of Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey-based study with a self-completed questionnaire. The respondents were parents of children aged 6-8 years living in Warszawa, Poland. 1461 completed questionnaires were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Asthma was declared in 4.3% of the children. Wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi within 12 months before the study was observed in 13.5% of the cases. Asthma medication was taken by 21.8% of the children. Allergic rhinitis was declared in 18.7% of the children. Problems with sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion not associated with cold or fever were observed in 40.7% of the children. The analysis of the odds ratios between the use of antibiotics and the symptoms of allergic diseases revealed a clear correlation. The highest odds ratio was observed between the completion of over three courses of antibiotic therapy prior to the age of 12 months and the declaration of one of the following: asthma (OR = 5.59, 95% CI: 2.6-12.01), wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi (OR = 4.68, 95% CI: 3.01-7.27) and taking medicines for breathlessness (OR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.42-7.68).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a direct relationship between antibiotic use in the first 3 years of life and asthma and allergy symptoms in children aged 6-8 years old.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland. filip.raciborski@wum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raciborski
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomaszewska
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Komorowski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samel-Kowalik
authors.forename: Artur Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Białoszewski
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walkiewicz
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lusawa
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szymański
authors.forename: Dagmara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Opoczyńska
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drużba
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borowicz
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lipiec
authors.forename: Wojciech J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kapalczynski
authors.forename: Bolesław
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Samoliński
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012912:Sneezing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents