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Hemophilus influenzae type b disease. An epidemiologic study with special reference to day-care centers
Insights
Children in day-care centers have a significantly higher risk of contracting Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease. This study highlights the increased risk for Hib infection in young children attending day-care facilities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Epidemiology of childhood illnesses
- Public health and day-care settings
Background:
- Day-care centers aggregate young children, increasing susceptibility to contagious diseases.
- Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a significant cause of illness in young children.
- Understanding disease incidence in day-care settings is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the incidence and risk factors of endemic Hemophilus influenzae type b disease.
- To compare Hib disease rates in day-care attendees versus the general child population.
- To assess the relative risk of Hib infection associated with day-care attendance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing data from Monroe County, New York, for 1982-1983.
- Calculation of attack rates for the general population (excluding day-care attendees).
- Determination of relative risk for day-care attendees compared to the general population.
Main Results:
- The highest attack rates in the general population were observed in children under 1 year and those aged 1-2 years.
- Day-care attendees exhibited a substantially greater relative risk for Hib disease.
- Relative risks were 12.3x for <1 year, 7.2x for 1-2 years, and 3.8x for 2-3 years old.
Conclusions:
- Children attending day-care facilities face a significantly increased risk of invasive Hemophilus influenzae type b disease.
- Preventive measures targeting susceptibility and contagious spread in day-care populations are necessary.
- Day-care attendance is a critical risk factor for Hib infection in young children.
Abstract:
Day-care centers are a relatively new phenomena of American society that bring together large numbers of young children susceptible to contagious disease. This study examines the incidence and risk factors of endemic Hemophilus influenzae type b disease both in the general population and in day-care attendees in Monroe County, New York, for 1982 and 1983. The attack rate in the general population (excluding day-care attendees) was highest in children younger than 1 year (131.9 cases per 100,000 per year) and in those 1 to 2 years old (75.7 cases per 100,000 per year) compared with older children. The relative risk for day-care attendees was much greater than that of the general population. It was 12.3 times greater for children younger than 1 year, 7.2 times greater for those 1 to 2 years old, and 3.8 times greater for those 2 to 3 years old. We conclude that children attending day-care facilities face a substantial increased risk of contracting invasive H influenzae type b disease. Efforts to prevent susceptibility and contagious spread of this disease in this population seem necessary.