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Research

Antibiotics in fetal and early life and subsequent childhood asthma: nationwide population based study with sibling analysis

BMJ 2014; 349 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6979 (Published 28 November 2014) Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g6979

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Re: Antibiotics in fetal and early life and subsequent childhood asthma: nationwide population based study with sibling analysis

Dr Havinga's Rapid Response prompts me to make a suggestion.

As there are (at least there were, and perhaps still are) communities which shun immunisation, could similar studies of asthma and the use of antibiotics be not carried out in such communities? I have in mind the Christian sect which lives in parts of the Netherlands, the Amish Christians in the USA, sections of Moslems in Nigeria and in Pakistan. Perhaps such studies have been carried out - in which case I would be grateful for references. The Netherlands and the USA should present no practical hurdles. Even Nigeria and Pakistan, blessed as they are with outstanding medical schools, could conduct such studies. Money should not be a problem; vaccine manufacturers, the Gates Foundation, our very own Ministry of Ourseas Development could provide the funds. I am aware that some people distrust foreign fingers in the domestic pie. Perhaps with good reason. Anyway I await comments and criticisms. Thank you

Competing interests: No competing interests

02 December 2014
JK Anand
Retired doctor
Free spirit
Peterborough

Unacceptable omission of documenting vaccine effects on the microbiome

Again in an article that investigates chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) effects of the microbiome and again vaccines are ignored, brushed aside as an "environmental factor".

Vaccines are not an environmental factor.

Vaccines take out commensals and as such change the microbiome more permanently than antibiotics.

It is unacceptable that respectable epidemiologists, research councils, public health departments or editors of medical journals continue to condone that kind of deliberate mis-information.

Competing interests: No competing interests

01 December 2014
Wouter Havinga
GP
NHS
GL6 6JL
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