SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2008 8/31/2008 Neonatally administered antibiotics may increase the risk of asthma Summary The authors of this retrospective review analyzed the effect of antibiotics given neonatally and the risk for early wheezing. They evaluated 4,921 infants obtained from a Swedish birth cohort study. They used a questionnaire obtained at 6 and 12 months, to assess the presence of wheezing, and looked at antibiotics administered on the neonatal ward as a risk factor. They did find that antibiotic treatment during the neonatal period was a risk factor for wheezing, as assessed by questionnaire, before one year of age (OR1.8). Other risk factors were: breast-feeding for less than five months, maternal history of asthma, history of asthma or eczema in siblings, and less than 37 weeks gestational age. Reference Alm B, et al. Neonatal antibiotic treatment is a risk factor for early wheezing. Pediatrics 2008; 121:697-702.   © Copyright 1997-2008 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology All rights reserved