Sickness while young can prevent serious disease later

By Sara Diamond
Anchor / Medical Reporter / WJHL
Published: May 15, 2008

Daycare may protect children from a form of cancer.

According to a recent study kids in daycare could have a 30 percent lower risk of developing childhood leukemia. 

Dr. Adrienne Morgan, of Children with Leukemia Charity says, “Send your children to daycare, let them eat dirt, let them have lots of early infections.  It’s good for them.”

Another doctor, Saint Luke’s Kenneth Gottesman explains why it’s good for kids.  He says the theory goes like this:  Unlike stay at home kids, young children in daycare are exposed to plenty of colds and other illnesses, including pathogens, germs, viruses and bacteria.  So, their immune system is challenged at a very early age.

“That might help the body produce certain antibodies,” Gottesman says.

And that might protect against childhood leukemia, which usually strikes between the ages of two and five.

Childhood leukemia only affects a small percentage of kids so doctors say parents shouldn’t purposely expose their children to illness.  But going to daycare or hanging out at the playground on a regular basis should do the trick.

Gottesman adds, “I think these exposures are part of growing up and in general they’re minor, mild illnesses.”

And early exposure may benefit kids by helping their general immunity by exposing them to illnesses before they begin school.

In other words, getting sick now may keep them from getting sick later.