Khaberni - A comprehensive review has shown that children who are frequently exposed to illnesses during kindergarten develop stronger immunity by the first grade, compared to their peers who stayed at home.
Every parent whose child starts kindergarten faces an endless series of colds. A team of researchers at University College London, who are parents of nine children combined, decided to merge scientific methodology with personal experience. The results of their comprehensive review were published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews.
The research confirms that the "first-year effect" in kindergarten is a scientifically proven fact. According to data, the typical child in the first year of daycare experiences the following:
12 to 15 respiratory infections,
Two gastrointestinal infections,
One or two infections accompanied by a rash.
Dr. Lucy van Dorp said, "Our personal experience with the burden of infection aligns perfectly with epidemiological evidence."
Scientists explain that the recurrence of illnesses is related to biology; the immune system of an infant is weak by the age of one year, and a child comes into the world like a "blank page" in terms of acquired adaptive immunity.
Dr. Leo Swalding explained that kindergarten acts as a kind of "training camp" for the immune system. Children who attend daycare get sick more often than their peers who stay at home in the age group from one to five years. However, the situation changes upon entering school, as children who acquired immunity in kindergarten are less absent from school.
The researchers focus on two main points:
Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against severe forms of childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Adherence to quarantine, i.e., keeping the child at home when the first signs of illness appear, and waiting a day or two after recovery.
The researchers affirm that regular leave to care for a sick child is a natural and temporary phase, urging employers to understand this situation.
