Giving babies antibiotics may increase the risk they will develop asthma, according to a study reported on by Medpage Today. This risk, to children 1 year and younger, also may increase based on how often the drugs are prescribed.
The findings of this study of more than 62,000 children said other factors that could contribute to the development of asthma were not studied, such as smoking within the family and how the baby was delivered, MedPage Today reports.
Martha Hartz of the Mayo Clinic told MedPage Today the association should remind doctors to prescribe antibiotics only when absolutely necessary.
