If parents want to protect their kids from developing asthma later in life they should consider enrolling them in daycare, particularly before age one, new research suggests.
A British study of more than 900 children found that kids enrolled in daycare were 35 per cent less likely to develop asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, by age 5.
Children who were put in daycare between the ages of six and 12 months had their risk of developing asthma reduced by 75 per cent.
The findings are published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The researchers said their findings add weight to the theory that the spike in asthma and allergy rates among children in the developed world may be a result of decreasing exposure to infections and germs early in life.
The study suggests that exposing young children to the pathogens found in a daycare environment may boost their immune defenses against allergy and asthma, the authors, led by Dr. Nicolaos C. Nicolaou, said.
The researchers noted that they examined the children's number of siblings and position in birth order, but neither factor influenced asthma risk.
Asthma is an inflammation of the airways that makes it difficult for a patient to breath. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.
The disease can develop at any age, but is often diagnosed in childhood.
According to the Asthma Society of Canada, asthma affects at least 12 per cent of Canadian children.
The World Health Organization has called the disease a serious public health problem, as it now afflicts more than 100 million people worldwide.
