Bacteria found in daycare facilities could lead to asthma in young children

PARIS, France — A recent study suggests that the type of bacteria found in daycare centers could play a role in whether children develop early signs of asthma. The research raises concerns about the long-term effects of daycare settings on children’s respiratory health.

Researchers from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, also known as Inserm, collected dust samples from 103 daycare centers in Paris using specialized vacuum cleaners. They then analyzed the dust to identify different types of bacteria present in these settings.

“We find mixtures of different bacteria and other microbes living everywhere – outside, inside our homes, on our skin and even inside our bodies,” says the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Annabelle Bédard, in a media release. “These communities of bacteria, known as microbiota, can have beneficial or
harmful effects on our health. Young children will come into contact with the bacteria living in day care centers via their skin and mouths and by breathing them in.”

The scientists grouped the bacteria into four categories based on the samples they collected. They found that one group, dominated by bacteria known as Streptococcus and Lactococcus, was associated with an increased risk of wheezing—an early warning sign of asthma—in children.

“Our research suggests that there are differences in the risk of recurrent wheezing depending on mixtures of bacteria in the daycare setting,” adds Dr. Bédard.

The parents of 515 children, who had an average age of two and attended these daycare centers, were also interviewed. The parents were asked if their children had shown any signs of respiratory issues like wheezing.

The study suggests that the choice of daycare could significantly impact a child’s respiratory health over time. The scientists emphasize that future research would look into factors like cleaning methods and ventilation, which could affect the kinds of bacteria present. Experts believe the study is a step forward in understanding the relationship between our environments and our health.

The researchers plan to continue monitoring the children to see if they develop asthma as they grow older. They also aim to explore other factors that may influence the presence of certain bacteria in daycare centers, with the hope of informing public health strategies to prevent chronic diseases like asthma.

South West News Service writer James Gamble contributed to this report.