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Riverside County Family Child Care Association>
Cutting Down on Infections at Day Care
September 10, 2007
August 1, 2007
Cutting Down on Infections at Day Care
The news: The 70 percent of children under age 6 who are in
out of home care in the United States are at risk for more
infections than are those who are cared for in their own
homes. This is not only because of increased exposure to
other children who are coming down with viral illnesses but
also because of equipment and sanitation issues. Recent
research explored whether providing reminders about
hand-washing and installing equipment that's easier to keep
germ-free in a child care center would reduce the number of
infections.
At the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill a study
was done comparing 23 pairs of child care centers. In one
of each pair, new equipment with seamless, cast polymer
tabletops for diaper changing, food preparation, and
hand-washing along with automatic faucets and
foot-activated, roll-out bins for diaper disposal was
installed. In both groups, observations and periodic
reminder courses in proper sanitation were given. The
seven-month study followed about 400 children.
Children in the centers with new equipment had half as many
episodes of diarrhea. Not only that, but the caregivers in
the same group had more than half the number of days absent
from work because of any illness. (Pediatrics 2007, vol.
120: e29-36)
Comment, by Loraine Stern, M.D.: As soon as children enter
group care I tell parents not to be surprised if the
children get sick and bring infections home to them. While
this cannot be totally eliminated, this study shows that
careful handling and the proper equipment can help.
Unfortunately, the commercially available set of equipment
used in this study was expensive (about $10,000), beyond
the means of many centers. It seems to me that these
improvements could be done with do-it-yourselfers and the
cost reduced considerably, especially if handy parents
contribute a little sweat.
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