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  • Title: Early childhood infections and the use of antibiotics and antipyretic-analgesics in Finland, Estonia and Russian Karelia.
    Author: Mustonen N, Siljander H, Peet A, Tillmann V, Härkönen T, Ilonen J, Hyöty H, Knip M, DIABIMMUNE Study Group.
    Journal: Acta Paediatr; 2019 Nov; 108(11):2075-2082. PubMed ID: 31132164.
    Abstract:
    AIM: Infections in early childhood are common reasons to seek medical attention. This study compares the prevalence of infections, and the use of antibiotics and antipyretic-analgesics, in children from Finland, Estonia and Russian Karelia. METHODS: Children with a genetically increased risk for type 1 diabetes (N = 797) were observed from birth up to 3 years of age. Illnesses and medications were reported by parents continuously. All reported infections, antibiotics and antipyretic-analgesics were compared between Finland and Estonia, and to a lesser extent with Russian Karelia, due to poor study compliance. RESULTS: Compared with Estonians, Finns reported more infections during the first and second years of life. During the follow-up, Finnish children had 10 infections while Estonians only had 8 (p < 0.001). Finns also used more antibiotics and antipyretic-analgesics in each year during the follow-up. Russian Karelians reported the lowest frequency of infections and the most infrequent use of antibiotics and antipyretic-analgesics in the first two years of life. CONCLUSION: Infections and the use of antibiotics and antipyretic-analgesics in early childhood were most frequent in Finland, where socio-economic conditions are the most developed and microbial encounters are sparse. This may reflect on the hygiene hypothesis, a less effective immune system that allows normally harmless microbes to attack and cause clinical infections.
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