Unregistered User If this is not your name, click here.
		Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague
	Select a ChannelAcneAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaesthesiology OtherAngina Pectoris/MIAnxietyArthritis OtherAsthmaBack PainBacterial InfectionsBladder CancerBone Marrow TransplantationBreast CancerCardiology OtherCataractCell TransplantationCervical CancerCholesterol/Lipid disordersCirrhosisClinical PharmacologyColorectal CancerCongestive Heart FailureContact DermatitisContraceptionCOPDCystic FibrosisDental and Oral DisordersDepressionDermatology OtherDiabetesDialysisEating DisordersElbowEmergency MedicineEndocrinology OtherEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionFibromyalgiaGastro OtherGeneticsGenitourinary OtherGeriatricsGERD/GastritisGlaucomaH. Pylori/UlcerHaematology OtherHair LossHeadachesHepa/Biliary OtherHepatitisHipHRTHypertensionIBDImmunologyInfectious OtherInfertilityIntensive CareIrritable Bowel SyndromeKneeLeukemiasLiver CancerLung CancerLupusLymphomasMelanomaMenopauseMultiple Sclerosis Nephrology OtherNeurologic OtherNutritional / Metabolic OtherOb/Gyn OtherObesityOncology OtherOphth. OtherOphthalmic SurgeryOrgan TransplantationOrthopaedics OtherOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitisOtorhino. OtherOvarian CancerPaediatricsPainPancreatic CancerParkinson'sPregnancyProstate CancerPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid arthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSchizophreniaShoulderSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgeryThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary tract infectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections

SEARCH   News Bookstore Medline The Web Meetings & Congresses Complete Doctor's Guide    EXPLORE :    All News   All Webcasts   All Cases   All Meetings & Congresses   All Medical Resources New drugs / indications English Dictionary Medical Dictionary Thesaurus Warning | Privacy | Awards  Favourite Journals  Click here to choose your favourite journals  Favourite Sites  Click here to choose your favourite sites  Languages  Select languageEnglishFrançais

Daycare May Protect Against Allergies LONDON, ENGLAND -- Feb. 5, 1999 -- In this week's issue of The Lancet, Dr. Ursula Krämer and colleagues from Germany look at whether infections in early childhood prevent allergies (atopy) in later life. They report that the prevalence of atopy was higher among children who started to attend daycare at an older age than in those who started to attend at a younger age. Children who are from large families or who attend pre-school daycare come into contact with other children and are likely to get infections. Dr Krämer and colleagues examined a cross-section of children aged five to 14 years from three towns in eastern Germany (Bitterfeld, Hettstedt and Zerbst). In the study, 620 children were from small families (up to three people, usually they were the only child) and 1,630 were from large families. The parents of the children completed a questionnaire about allergies in the family and about their child's attendance at daycare. The researchers tested all the children for allergic responses. They used skin-prick tests and measured antibodies against various allergens, such as grass pollen and house-dust mite. Among the children from small families, those who first went to nursery at a young age (six to 11 months) had fewer allergies, including hayfever and irritated eyes, than the children who first attended at an older age (12 to 23 months). By contrast, age of entry to nursery had no effect on atopy in children from large families. Dr. Krämer and colleagues conclude that early infection may protect against allergies in later life. Related Links: The Lancet E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version