Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens
Published on: September 12, 2016
Can risk factors for infectious illnesses in children at day care centres be identified?
Thorolfur Gudnason1, Birgir Hrafnkelsson, Brynja Laxdal
1Directorate of Health, and Department of Paediatrics Landspitali University Hospital, Austurstrond 5, Seltjarnarnes, Iceland. thorolfur@landlaeknir.is
Insights
Identifying risk factors for common childhood illnesses like respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in daycare settings is challenging. Young age and winter season were key risk factors, but daycare facilities were not significant predictors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Risk factors for febrile, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses in preschool children attending day care centers are not well-established.
- These risk factors may exhibit geographical variations, complicating international health recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify consistent risk factors for infectious illnesses in preschool children.
- To analyze the incidence rates of febrile, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses in relation to potential risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal study design was employed.
- Mixed effect hierarchical Poisson regression models were used to analyze potential risk factors.
- Data were collected over 2.5 years from 917 preschool children.
Main Results:
- Young age and the winter season were the only consistent risk factors identified for infectious illnesses.
- No significant risk factors were associated with daycare center facilities or hygiene practices.
- Incidences of febrile, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses varied significantly by season and age group.
Conclusions:
- Identifying consistent risk factors for infectious illnesses in young children is difficult due to variability.
- International recommendations for costly intervention strategies are not justifiable given the identified risk factor variability.
- Icelandic preschool children may have higher rates of respiratory illnesses but lower rates of gastrointestinal illnesses compared to other countries.
Background:
The risk factors for febrile, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses in preschool children at day care centres have not been adequately identified and may differ between countries.
Methods:
In this repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal study of children at day care centres, we analyzed various potential risk factors for infectious illnesses using a mixed effect hierarchical Poisson regression model. The results of the analyses and the incidence rates of these illnesses are reported herein.
Results:
The study lasted 2.5 y (2000-2003) and was divided into five 6-month periods (seasons). Nine hundred and seventeen children participated, and their mean age within each season was 3.6-4.1 y. The only consistent risk factors identified were young age and winter season. No consistent risk factors at the day care centres (facilities or hygiene practices) were identified. The incidences of the febrile, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses varied significantly between seasons (winter/summer) and between age groups.
Conclusions:
Risk factors of infectious illnesses are difficult to identify and because they may vary between countries, international recommendations on expensive intervention strategies are not justifiable. Rates of respiratory illnesses in Icelandic preschool children appear higher than in other countries, but rates of gastrointestinal illnesses lower.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...