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Day-care attendance, position in sibship, and early childhood wheezing: a population-based birth cohort study

Nicolaos C Nicolaou1, Angela Simpson, Lesley A Lowe

  • 1School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester, University Hospital of South Manchester, National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom. Nicolaos.Nicolaou@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|September 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Attending day-care, especially between 6 and 12 months, significantly reduces the risk of wheezing in young children. This study clarifies the impact of early childhood environments on respiratory health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Health
  • Environmental Epidemiology
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Conflicting data exist regarding day-care attendance and sibling position's influence on childhood wheezing.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for early childhood respiratory health management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between day-care entry age and sibling number with early childhood wheeze.
  • To analyze the impact on respiratory symptoms, lung function, and allergic sensitization.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective population-based birth cohort study of 922 children at age 5.
  • Data collected via parent-reported symptoms, plethysmography for lung function, and skin testing for sensitization.
  • Participants categorized by day-care entry age (0-6, 6-12, >12 months) and number of older siblings.

Main Results:

  • Day-care entry between 6-12 months or after 12 months showed a significant inverse association with current wheeze.
  • Early day-care entry (first 6 months) was linked to increased risk of atopy.
  • Allergic sensitization, male sex, maternal asthma, and maternal smoking during pregnancy were significant risk factors for wheezing.

Conclusions:

  • Day-care attendance is associated with a reduced risk of current wheezing in 5-year-old children.
  • The protective effect of day-care on wheezing is most pronounced when children enter between 6 and 12 months of age.
  • No association was found between day-care attendance and lung function, but early entry increased atopy risk.
Abstract

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