Comments on: What Causes Allergy? What Causes Asthma? A short review of two recent articles

By: Josh Clark

Josh Clark — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:36:47 +0000

Great post, It does shed light on things. Your site is a huge help to my family and hopefully others as well! Definately will have future questions, Much Thanks

By: fleickly

fleickly — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:31:50 +0000

Mr. Clark,
Thank you for checking the site. I hope you have found it useful.
I think you are a clairvoyant. The questions you asked were the topic of my next posting. After a few more edits and proof-readings today, I should have this one ready. It is a review of an article in the May 2009 issue of the JACI. This was is an update on allergy during pregnancy, lactation, and early infancy. The issue of antibiotic exposure is listed as a risk factor (not a bonafide cause) for developing allergy. In the circumstance you described, the numbers quoted, and what we know about the devastating effects of that infection on an infant there would be no hesitation to use the antibiotics.
The family history of allergy is certainly a major issue. How all the other factors play out may depend on the individual circumstance. Take a look at the posting and let me know if it covers things for you.
Keep the questions coming.
Warmest regards,
Fred Leickly

By: Josh Clark

Josh Clark — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:58:15 +0000

Thank you very much for your blog. I check it every few days. My wife was treated twice with antibiotics for group b strep, once early in the pregnancy and again during delivery. When our son was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and later multiple food allergies this was one of the things we wondered about. Both my wife and I have asthma and allergies so we know that is probably the main reason, but this adds another factor into the mix. If the same scenario comes up if we have more children I wonder what we will do? According to the CDC the risk of GBS without antibiotics is 1 in 200. With antibiotics it is 1 in 4,000. With our genetics and my sons’ current situation this could possibly be an important decision! I hope more research will be done before then.Thanks again!!