Growing children receiving child-care outside of their home environment, e.g., in crèches or other day-care centres, are at high risk of developing infections. Added to this are the young child’s developmental lack of understanding required for good hygiene and the frequent use of antibiotics (whether appropriately or not) in this age group. All these factors negatively affect the growing child’s gut microbiome and immunity. Infections frequently seen in growing children include many community-acquired viruses and bacteria affecting mostly the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.1,2
Protection and immunity for growing children
Growing children receiving child-care outside of their home environment, e.g., in crèches or other day-care centres, are at high risk of developing infections. Added to this are the young child’s developmental lack of understanding required for good hygiene and the frequent use of antibiotics (whether appropriately or not) in this age group. All these factors negatively affect the growing child’s gut microbiome and immunity. Infections frequently seen in growing children include many community-acquired viruses and bacteria affecting mostly the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.1,2