Perinatal and Other Risk Factors for Common Infections in Infancy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Sanni Hyvönen, Terhi Tapiainen, Tytti Pokka, Terhi Solasaari, Katri Korpela, Willem M. De Vos, Anne Salonen, Kaija Leena Kolho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Limited data from prospective cohort studies in high-income countries are available on the perinatal risk factors for common infections in children. Our hypothesis was that perinatal factors may be risk factors for infectious episodes during the first year of life. Methods: In this prospective Health and Early Life Microbiota birth cohort study of full-term infants (n = 1052) born in 2016-2018, the number and duration of infection episodes were collected online at weekly to monthly intervals. In a multivariate regression model, the main exposures were perinatal factors such as mode of delivery and intrapartum antibiotics. Environmental factors were additional exposures. The outcomes were the number and duration of infectious episodes in the first year of life. Results: The mean number of infection episodes was 4.2 (2.9 SD). The mean duration of infection symptoms was 44 days (40 SD). Upper respiratory infections accounted for 83% of the episodes (3674/4455). Perinatal factors were not associated with the number nor the duration of infection episodes, but cesarean section was associated with an increased occurrence of urinary tract infections in infancy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-11.1]. Of the additional exposures male sex (aOR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0-1.2) and the presence of siblings (aOR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2-1.4) were associated with the number of infection episodes. Conclusions: This prospective cohort study showed that perinatal factors, mode of delivery and intrapartum antibiotics were not associated with the risk of common infections in infancy, but cesarean delivery was associated with a risk of urinary tract infections.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Volume42
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)E447-E453
Number of pages7
ISSN0891-3668
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2023
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Fields of Science

  • birth cohort
  • children
  • infectious diseases
  • newborn
  • respiratory
  • 3123 Gynaecology and paediatrics

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