Preschool age children who attend day care have a much higher chance of developing respiratory and allergy problems, according to a new study from Sweden.
Investigators from the SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute surveyed the parents of over 10,000 children about the day care status of their children over the past year as well as the frequency of respiratory symptoms in the youngsters.
Compared with children in home care, children in day care had more symptoms, including an increased risk of 33 percent for wheeze; 56 percent for cough; 23 percent for asthma; 15 percent for rhinitis; 75 percent for hay fever; 49 percent for eczema; and 27 percent for food allergy.
In addition, the odds of having at least six colds was more than doubled, as was the odds of having an ear infection. The risks were most pronounced for children under 4 years old.
The researchers believe their findings "justify a significant public health concern."
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