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Factors associated with acute respiratory illness in day care children

Katja Hatakka1, Laura Piirainen, Sara Pohjavuori

  • 1Valio R&D, Helsinki, Finland.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Parental and environmental factors significantly impact recurrent acute respiratory illness (ARI) and acute otitis media (AOM) in Finnish children attending day care. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for reducing infections in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Acute respiratory illness (ARI) and acute otitis media (AOM) are common childhood infections, particularly among those attending day care centres (DCCs).
  • Identifying factors contributing to recurrent infections is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between child characteristics, parental factors, and environmental influences on the occurrence of ARI and AOM in Finnish children.
  • To determine specific risk and protective factors associated with recurrent ARI and AOM in children aged 1-6 years attending DCCs.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted involving 594 children aged 1-6 years from 18 DCCs in Helsinki, Finland.
  • Data collected included child characteristics, parental history (e.g., atopy, education), environmental factors (e.g., pets, DCC attendance duration), and illness occurrences.

Main Results:

  • Recurrent ARI was prevalent (44% in 1-3-year-olds), with increased risk associated with parental atopy, mother's academic education, and medium DCC attendance duration. Older child age and furry pets were protective.
  • Recurrent AOM was less common (15% in 1-3-year-olds), with increased risk linked to recurrent ARI, mother's academic education, and medium DCC attendance duration. Partial breastfeeding and older child age were protective.

Conclusions:

  • Parental and environmental factors play a significant role in the incidence of recurrent ARI and AOM in children attending DCCs.
  • Factors such as parental atopy, maternal education, and day care attendance duration are associated with increased risk, while factors like older child age, pets, and breastfeeding duration are associated with reduced risk.
  • These identified risk factors should inform future research and interventions aimed at mitigating infections in day care settings.

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