Aussie researchers uncover one change that could stop kids’ allergies before they happen

Australian researchers have found mothers taking prebiotics during pregnancy could help stop children from developing antibiotic-linked food allergies.

Recent research has suggested there may be a link between mothers taking antibiotics during pregnancy and their child developing an allergy within the first 12 months of their life.

Now, a new study from The Kids Research Institute Australia found children of mothers who also received a prebiotic supplement during pregnancy or labour did not have an increased risk of having an allergy.

“Among mothers who did not take prebiotics, antibiotic exposure during labour was associated with a more than five‑fold increase in food allergy risk in babies,” lead author and research assistant Summer Walker said.

The study took into account findings of 652 pregnant women in Western Australia, with all babies being born having a family history of allergic disease.

“Our findings suggest a particularly vulnerable period around birth where antibiotic use may negatively influence a baby’s developing immune system,” Wallker said.

Read more

Sisters of Aussie tourist missing in Las Vegas say someone knows something

The Centre for Food Allergy Research said Australia is the “allergy capital of the world”, with one in 10 Aussie kids expected to develop one in the first 12 months of their life, a higher rate than children in Europe or the US.

The National Allergy Centre estimated last year that around 8.2 million Australians, 30 per cent of the population, had some sort of allergic disease.

Walker noted the research was purely a step forward rather than a conclusive study that prebiotics halt allergies and antibiotics cause them, and said dietary factors can also have an impact.

“Many healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, are rich in prebiotic containing foods such as garlic, leeks, onions, asparagus and legumes,” she said, suggesting there is more that can be done to help prevent allergies.

The study’s authors also noted antibiotics are safe during pregnancy and childbirth, and should “always be used when needed”.

Griffith University allergist Professor Pete Smith echoed those sentiments, saying it was important the findings are taken at face value.

“The number of affected infants was very small, and the confidence intervals are wide,” he said.

“Antibiotics in labour - most often given to prevent Group B streptococcus - are important and sometimes lifesaving, and should not be avoided.”

Please note the information in this story is general in nature. Please always consult your GP or health professional for advice that is tailored to your specific health concerns.