After reasearching online about Elise’s pediatric or childhood asthma, I came across this scary article. (Yeah, that’s what you get from reading too much). Apparently, there have been studies linking antibiotics and asthma. When an infant received antibiotics at an early age, they usually develop asthma. Ayeee!!!
Read the article at WebMD here.
I remember Elise had to be given some kind of antibiotics when she was 7 days old. We just got home that morning from a whole week hospital stay after I gave birth to her. At 2 am in the morning the next day, we got a call from the hospital saying that the baby contracted sepsis which was some kind of blood infection.
They asked us to buy this really expensive antibody called IVIG or intravenous immunoglobulin which retailed for P8.5k a pop. (she only needed half so they had to throw away the remainders after it wasn’t used, sheesh) And that’s after paying almost P150k for my hospital bills and partial payment for Elise’s bill.
And also during that time, Elise has no sucking reflex yet and she cannot tolerate anything, breastmilk or formula, which made the whole thing worse.
The doctor said that’s what happens when infants were born prematurely, their immune system wasn’t well developed when they came into the world. They become prone to diseases.
What more, some factors which causes asthma are also found in this article. Factors like genetics and low birth weight may also be accountable, not to mention other external elements like cigarette smoke, dust and pollution. Ayayay! 
This is one scary ride for a parent like me. I hate the idea that my child has a recurring sickness and it hurts a lot to see her suffer like that. The coughing fits, nasal congestion and colds…its horrible. Adults nga find these already difficult, what more for a 16th month old toddler?
Pwede bang ako nalang magkasakit instead of her?
on Sep 21st, 2007 at 11:15 am
I remember those days as a first time mom when I didn’t know better. The pedia kept prescribing antibiotic. My daughter suffered for years till 7 years old. I am not sure if antibiotics were the cause as my husband ias asthmatic.
Aiza: Yes its really hard to determine the factor. But the hardest is to see our children suffer from it. *sigh*
on Sep 21st, 2007 at 1:17 pm
You know that’s one of the reasons why the UK’s NHS refrains from prescribing antibiotics as much as possible. The downside, nagmamakaawa ka na dahil green-yellow-sobra-sobra na ubo at phlegm ng anak mo, ayaw pa din nila. I know some Pinoys actually buy antibiotics in Pinas to take home here & they self-medicate their kids. Di naman ako ganon, I think it’s riskier, we just to give our son his vits & make sure he has a well-balanced meal at home.
Hay we can only hope we’re the right thing as parents. We’re all doing our best, but I know the anxiety will not leave.
on Sep 21st, 2007 at 8:10 pm
we are not so fond of giving antibiotics for kids, even those prescribed by their pedias. we’d rather they eat fruits or veggies and drink loads of fluids when they are sick. plus, tender loving care - hirap talaga pag may sakit ang kids e.
on Oct 12th, 2007 at 12:06 am
oh, wawa si elise! but i’ll bet you were more kawawa—-out of worry and awa to her. it’s a good thing that that’s all in the past! a friend of mine doesn’t want babies anymore because she doesn’t want to worry when they’re sick! =o
Aiza: hi jen, ahaha yeah kawawa tayong mga mommies but that wouldn?t stop me from having another kid, hopefully in the future, when elise is ready to be an ?ate? na.