respiratory ailments than those whose homes are animal-free, said a
study released on Monday.
The study, published in the US journal Pediatrics, did not say why but
suggested that being around a dog that spends at least part of its day
outdoors may boost a child's immune system in the first year of life.
Cats, too, seemed to convey some protection to babies, though the
effect observed was weaker than with dogs.
The research was based on 397 children in Finland whose parents made
diary entries each week recording the state of their child's health
during the infant's first year, from nine weeks to 52 weeks of age.
Overall, babies in homes with cats or dogs were about 30 percent less
likely to have respiratory infectious symptoms -- which included
cough, wheezing, rhinitis (stuffy or runny nose) and fever -- and
about half as likely to get ear infections.
"If children had dog or cat contacts at home, they were significantly
healthier during thestudy period," said the study led by experts at
Kuopio University Hospital in Finland.
The most protective association was seen in children who had a dog
inside at home for up to six hours a day, compared to children who did
not have any dogs or who had dogs that were always outside.
"We offer preliminary evidence that dog ownership may be protective
against respiratory tract infections during the first year of life,"
said the study.
"We speculate that animal contacts could help to mature the
immunologic system, leadingto more composed immunologicresponse and
shorter duration of infections."
The improvement was significant, even after researchers ruled out
other factors that could boost infection risk, such as not havingbeen
breastfed, attending daycare, being raised by smokers or parents with
asthma, or having older siblings in the household.
In addition to having less frequent ear infections and respiratory
infections, babies near dogs tended to need fewercourses of
antibiotics compared to those who were reared in pet-free households,
it said.
Previous research has shown conflicting results, with some studies
finding no benefit for young children being around furry pets and
others finding that animal contact appears to offer some protection
against colds and stomach ailments.
The study authors said their research differs from previous analyses
because it focuses solely on the first postnatal year and does not
include older children.
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