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Day-care attendance and increased risk for respiratory and allergic symptoms in preschool age

L Hagerhed-Engman1, C-G Bornehag, J Sundell

  • 1Department of Building Physics and Indoor Environment, SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, Borås, Sweden.

Allergy
|March 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Day-care attendance is linked to increased respiratory and allergic symptoms in young children, with no evidence of protection against future allergic diseases. Early infections and day care independently contribute to asthma and allergy risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The impact of day-care on respiratory and atopic symptoms is debated globally.
  • The 'hygiene hypothesis' suggests day care may reduce future sensitization, but evidence on infection risk versus protection for allergic disease remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between day-care attendance and respiratory and atopic symptoms in young children.
  • To determine if day-care attendance poses a risk or offers protection against future allergic diseases and asthma.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 10,851 children aged 1-6 years in Sweden.
  • Parents completed postal questionnaires on respiratory/atopic symptoms, home environment, and day-care status.
  • Statistical analysis included adjusted odds ratios (AOR) to assess symptom risks.

Main Results:

  • Children in day care showed increased risks for wheezing (AOR 1.33), night cough (AOR 1.56), eczema (AOR 1.49), and food allergies (AOR 1.27).
  • Higher risks were observed for respiratory infections (colds, ear infections) and doctor-diagnosed hay fever.
  • Increased risks were most significant in children aged 1-4 years; adjusting for infections did not alter the day-care risk for allergic diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Day-care attendance is associated with increased risks of airway infection symptoms, eczema, and food allergies.
  • No protective effect of day care against allergic diseases was observed up to age six.
  • Both frequent airway infections and day-care attendance are independently linked to asthma and allergic symptoms.
Abstract

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