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- December 2009
- Dishing the dirt on childhood infection
Dishing the dirt on childhood infection
14 December 2009: Exposure to infections before birth and as a baby may reduce the risk of chronic diseases in later life, according to a recent study.
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Scientists looked at data from children born in the Philippines to see whether being exposed to more infections as an infant reduced levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a young adult. CRP is a protein in the blood that increases when there is inflammation in the body – a key part of the immune system response. Raised levels of the protein are known to be associated with conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Although it is known that inflammation plays an important role in immunity, it is not known how this develops. A theory called the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ argues that reduced exposure to infection as a young child increases your likelihood of developing allergies and hay fever – conditions that are associated with the immune system not working properly. This idea suggests that being exposed to infections is important in helping the immune system to develop correctly.
The researchers studied nearly 1,500 children over 18 years, beginning while they were still in the womb. They looked at how much infection they were exposed to, for example how many people lived in their household, the cleanliness of their living conditions and their source of drinking water. The researchers found that people who grew up to have raised levels of CRP were exposed to lower levels of animal faeces and had fewer bouts of diarrhoea as children. They also saw that children who had lower birth weights were more likely to have higher levels of CRP as young adults.
The authors of the study believe that being exposed to more infectious substances before birth and as a young child helps to develop the immune system. This exposure also seems to result in less inflammation indicating that chronic conditions such as heart disease are not as likely.
Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director for Bupa International, said: “This study appears to add weight to the idea that living in a cleaner environment may affect the immune system in a negative way. This supports the ‘hygiene hypothesis’.
“However, it’s important to bear in mind that the study has a number of drawbacks. Although it seems to show that children who are exposed to more infections in early life grow up to have lower levels of inflammation, it does not explain how this relates to health in later life, so we need further research. Parents should ensure that their children follow good hygiene and are brought up in clean, healthy conditions.”
Key facts
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The number of children with diseases associated with the immune system such as allergies and hay fever has risen steadily over the past 20 years.
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The rise has been most noticeable in more affluent, western countries.
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The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ suggests that this is because children are exposed to fewer infections while they are developing in the womb and in early infancy.
- However, it is likely that allergies and other similar conditions have a number of causes including environmental and genetic influences.
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Read the study
McDade TW, Rutherford J, Adair L, et al. Early origins of inflammation: microbial exposures in infancy predict lower levels of C-reactive protein in adulthood. Proc R Soc B 2009; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1795
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This study appears to add weight to the idea that living in a cleaner environment may affect the immune system in a negative way.
Dr Sneh Khemka
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