Warning over bacteria inside nurseries that can trigger killer condition in kids

13 September 2023 , 21:43

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A dangerous bacterial combination found in some nurseries is linked to a key symptom of asthma, a study has found (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

A nasty mix of bacteria lurking inside nurseries could help trigger a dangerous health condition in children, according to scientists.

Researchers found that a combination of Streptococcus and Lactococcus was associated with an increased risk of wheezing - a key early sign of asthma. Dr Annabelle Bédard, from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, found that while multiple types of bacteria were inevitably found in these settings, this specific combination in certain nurseries appeared to have more clear effects.

She and her colleagues are hoping their study will lead to further research into what causes these bacterial combinations to appear in nurseries and day cares the first place, such as cleaning and ventilation. Dr Bédard said: “In children under three years old, wheezing is considered to be an early sign of asthma.

“Our research suggests that there are differences in the risk of recurrent wheezing depending on mixtures of bacteria in the day care setting. We now need to understand what factors influence this bacterial community, for example how the rooms are cleaned and ventilated, and indoor air quality.

“This could help understand how to improve conditions and inform public health strategies for preventing chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma in children. In children under three years old, wheezing is considered to be an early sign of asthma. Our research suggests that there are differences in the risk of recurrent wheezing depending on mixtures of bacteria in the daycare setting,”

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Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, with around one in 11 children and young people living with the condition. Britain also has one of the highest prevalence, emergency admission and death rates for childhood asthma in Europe, according to the NHS.

Angela Zacharasiewicz, chair of the European Respiratory Society group on Pediatric Asthma and Allergy, commented on the findings: “There are bacteria and other microbes living all around us and we are starting to understand that they can have positive and negative effects on our respiratory health. We still have a great deal to learn about these complex communities and how our bodies respond to them. Hopefully, understanding more about these interactions will help us create the healthiest environments for our young children to grow and thrive."

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas