Impact of Infant Antibiotic Use on Asthma Burden
Author Information
Author(s): Lee Tae Yoon, Petkau John, Saatchi Ariana, Marra Fawziah, Turvey Stuart E., Lishman Hannah, Patrick David M., Cragg Jacquelyn J., Johnson Kate M., Sadatsafavi Mohsen
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
What would the burden of asthma have been, had infant antibiotic exposure been different than observed?
Conclusion
The decline in infant antibiotic exposure has resulted in a substantial reduction in the burden of asthma in British Columbia.
Supporting Evidence
- 773,160 live births were recorded during the study period.
- The average antibiotic prescription rate was 523 per 1,000 infants.
- Antibiotic prescriptions decreased by 71.5% from 2001 to 2018.
- 1,982,861 person-years with asthma were recorded under the observed trends.
- Had antibiotic exposure remained at 2001 levels, there would have been an additional 37,213 person-years with asthma.
Takeaway
Using fewer antibiotics for babies can help reduce asthma cases in children.
Methodology
Bayesian meta-analysis and simulation modeling were used to analyze the impact of infant antibiotic exposure on asthma outcomes.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding by indication or reverse causation due to respiratory infections.
Limitations
The study relies on existing data and assumptions about the dose-response relationship, which may not fully account for confounding factors.
Participant Demographics
Infants born in British Columbia, Canada, from 2001 to 2018.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.03–1.07
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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