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Pet exposure in first year of life may provide protection against later respiratory infections
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Exposure to dogs before a child’s first birthday could help prevent respiratory infections later in life, according to study findings published online.
Eija Bergroth, MD, of the department of pediatrics at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, and colleagues conducted a birth cohort study of about 400 children born between September 2002 and May 2005. The researchers collected data on dogs and cats in the home, and parents recorded respiratory infections throughout the first year of life.
The researchers reported less frequent episodes of otitis media and fewer antibiotic prescriptions for children who had dogs in their homes compared with children without household exposure to cats or dogs. In univariate analysis, the researchers said having either a dog or cat was associated with better overall health (P<.001). However, after adjusting for other factors, including parental allergies and others, only having a dog was significantly protective.
The researchers stratified the dogs by time spent in the house, and they said those in the home the shortest period were actually the most protective, which was attributed to more dirt being brought into the home, which increased the environmental contaminants and helped to mature the child’s immune system.
“We speculate that animal contacts could help to mature the immunologic system, leading to more composed immunologic response and shorter duration of infections,” the researchers concluded.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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