Augmentin - is there a link to Autism?

[dejags]

I seem to remember a while ago that I read (maybe on MN) about there being a link between Augmentin (antibiotic) and autism.

My DS2 suffers from really bad ear infections - the latest one resulting in a wet ear. The ENT Surgeon drained his ears (he has grommets) but said if the AB eardrops don't work within a week she wants him to have a course of Augmentin (this was after I refused them based on my memory of this link with autism).

DS2 is 16 months btw.

OK so I have googled and there is quite a bit on the Internet about this - a lot for and a lot against.

JimJams - I think it was you who was posting about this i.e. where I originally heard about this - what are your thoughts (sorry if I am asking you to repeat yourself).

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It was one person's theory, no more than that. No science to back it up at all.

My thoughts are that there is little evidence one way or another,but that the theory is plausable. My other thought is that ds1 regressed immediately after a course of augmentin (although he also had oral acyclovir- and eczema herpeticum - which can be nasty and steroids and other antibs at the same time). I would avoid augmentin for ds2 & ds3 (and ds1) now unless there was really no alternative, but on a :"just in case" meausre. I would give it if there wasn't another choice.

In your situation I'd ask the ENT surgeon how likely it was that ANY course of antibs was going to work- they appear to have a very poor success rate in the case of recurrent ear infections. I'd obviously also ask what the risks were of NOT giving augmentin. Unless you have other risk factors I wouldn't worry too much though (I don't think that just giving Joe Bloggs augmentin is going to trigger autism- there has to be sme sort of susceptibility- which I why I'd be careful with ds2 and ds3). I can't remember how old your ds2 is- ds1 was 11 months when he had his course.

Thanks all.

JimJams - DS2 is 16 months.

I have asked the ENT what the risks are for not using the AB's, she says there is a very small risk of hearing loss but other than that no real side effects in the absence of a high fever.

So we have decided to let nature take it's course, to treat with pain relief where necessary and only give him another course of antibiotics if absolutely necessary.

This poor little guy has already had 9 courses of antibiotics in 16 months (2 in the last month) and I have had enough. The numbers speak for themselves - if the AB's were effective we wouldn't be seeing the doctor on a monthly basis about his ear infections.

Good news is that the AB eardrops are working well so hopefully it's all a mute conversation for now.

Thanks again.

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Thanks HappyMum

Makes me feel a little reassured about the Augmentin if we need it.

my ds's have suffered from ear problems,they were placed on 3 month course of trimethroprin and decongestant meds, which did work, however the gp;s said that there is no evidence that anti-biotics help and that the chosen course of tratment these days are sprays which shrink down the lining of the eustachian tube, thus stopping infection from building up in catarrh thats not draining.if they dont appear to hasten recovery, then there is probably no point giving them.