Use of antibiotics on cleft palate baby

[Anonymous]

My son has been given Augmentin and Amoxil from the age of
three months to avoid secondary infections and chest
complications. How dangerous are they? What can be given instead
? I've heard of aromatherapy but would like more information.



Thanks



pmgatt@orbit.net.mt

[Anonymous]

I am 20, so the information I give may be a little different
than your situation, but... about 4 years ago I began having
really bad sinus problems related to my cleft lip/palate. I was
put on zithromax for a year straight, followed by augmentin (875
2x day) on and off for the last 3 years. After having surgery, it
was found that the infection I have only reacts with Augmentin
(which is a very strong antibodic wipes out many more bacteria
than zithromax or lower class antibodics) The problem I have
found with taking antibodics for so long include: stomach
problems (severe diarreha, cramps, loss of apetite - which can be
controlled slightly by eating with meals) and yeast infections
(which won't be a problem here but the effects can be lessened by
taking L. acidphodophilous in either live cultures from the
pharmacy or it is found in most yogurts)



As a studying cell/molecular biologist, I can tell you that
prolonged exposure to antibodics will kill some of the natural
flora (or normally residing "good" bacteria), which is
why diarreha and yeast infections occur. You can build up an
immunity over time to antibodics because you will be selecting
for (encouraging in a way) strains which are not suseptible to
the specific antibiotic. This could lead to problems down the
road, not just for you but for society as a whole, since many
doctors are prescribing unnessary antibiotics (such as when you
have a cold and the doctor gives you an antibiotic but you really
have a virus, which is not suseptible) You can also build an
immunity by not finishing the medication, thus not completely
erraticating the bacteria. In this case, only the
"strong" bacteria survive, so you have selected for
bacteria that is not easily combated by antibodics to reproduce.



I hope that this helps somewhat, maybe in sparking questions
to ask to your doctor on how it may effect infants. I know that
aside from the drawbacks, I need to take the antibiotics because
my sinuses do not drain properly, thus encouraging infection and
thus headaches. I also have been told that sinus problems are
common among "our kind" (which not all ENTs are overly
aware of) Finally, antibiotics are essential after surgeries to
prevent infection, since the area is a prime location as far as
infection is concerned.

[kate]

My son also had antibiotics repeatidly for ear infections his
first year. They didn't help. He had the tubes placed in with his
lip repair. It didn't help. He is now 14 months old and has had
his palate repaired. I just want to tell you in our case, it made
the biggest difference in the world. He has no more infections.
Even when he gets a cold. One suggestion. Our ear doctor
prescribed Floxin drops for him and that seemed to work when the
infections were really bad. We also put the baby on Soy milk
which helped to alliviate mucus build up. Email me if you have
any other questions(bsoderstrom@ameritech.net