The use of kindergartens seems to have become almost obligatory, given that, in most families, both parents work and there is also a growing number of single-parent families. However, its real benefits, beyond necessity, are very debatable. Today I bring you an interesting work published in the journal "Evidence in Pediatrics" that precisely analyzes this phenomenon and its consequences. The conclusion is clear, Daycare greatly increases the risk of acute infectious diseases In children under three years.
It seems that, in certain environments of disadvantaged families, a certain social and behavioral benefit can be credited, but, in addition to this, the benefits are unprovable, something that does not happen with the problems it entails.
Likewise, it is often cited that children who go to daycare, despite suffering more acute infectious diseases, especially respiratory or stomach, then, in Primary, have a lower incidence in these problems, but, according to the authors of this work, are poorly contrasted data and do not really demonstrate the supposed immune benefits of early exposure to a less healthy environment.
The reality is that the nursery, especially in the most widespread model in Spain, with high rates, considerably increases the incidence of infectious diseases, mainly gastrointestinal and respiratory, being able to calculate that 50% of these processes are directly related to the assistance to these centers
The risk of upper respiratory infection was increased 88%, for otitis media 58%, for otitis media with effusion 143%, for low respiratory infections 110% (pneumonia, 70%; bronchiolitis, 80%; bronchitis , 110%) and for acute diarrhea / gastroenteritis 40%.
The authors point out that, of course, the health issue is not the only factor to consider when deciding if the child should go to daycare, but, in this aspect, if the care of the child in all its facets, can to be covered in another way, it seems that it would be better not to go to them.
What they do point out is that, in the case of children with chronic previous processes, it is inadvisable to use them if possible and that, in general, the change of the model, approaching what is done in other countries with day mothers or small groups of children in a family environment, it could have better consequences, since it is considered proven that Daycare increases the risk of acute infectious diseases.
