Experts Warn Against the Use of Antibiotics in Pregnancy
… Say it reduces baby’s immunity
Pregnant mothers have been warned to desist from the use of antibiotics in pregnancy, as it has been found to weaken baby’s immune system
According to the study conducted by researchers from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, published on DailyMailonline, it found that drugs used to beat infections can interfere with a baby’s immune system long-term.
Previous studies, particularly the one published September last year had found that children given antibiotics before the age of two are more likely to develop eczema in later life. Also, studies on almost 400,000 people found that giving the drugs to infants increased their chance of developing the painful skin allergy by up to 41 per cent.
On the current findings, the researchers found immune system cells linked to fighting lung cancer were missing after exposure to antibiotics. Longer term, continued disruptions to gut bacteria appear to cause permanent immune system damage.
Friendly gut bacteria – which play a pivotal role in the development of a child – are frequently wiped out by the drugs, according to new research.
Study author Dr Hitesh Deshmukh said: “It is time to begin pushing back on practices that were established decades ago, when our level of understanding was different”
“To prevent infection in one infant, we are exposing 200 infants to the unwanted effects of antibiotics. A more balanced, more nuanced approach is possible.”