Sterile Childhood Environment May Increase Leukemia Risk
Raising a child in a sterile environment may be doing them more harm than good, scientists say. Not only does exposure to germs help develop a child’s immune system, but it may also reduce the child’s chances of getting childhood leukemia. How? According to a recently published paper, a sterile environment, followed by infections, can trigger acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also known as ALL, in children.
Scientists are beginning to believe that a sterile childhood, followed by subsequent infections, can increase a child’s risk of developing ALL, the most common childhood cancer. Being exposed to germs is vital for the proper development of the immune system, which may help children fight off disease and illness later in life. How can we protect our children? Find out in the last section of this article.
Causes of Childhood Leukemia
There are two main possible factors that cause ALL: a genetic mutation and exposure to certain infections (possibly infections contracted after a supremely clean early childhood). Although the genetic causes of ALL are not completely understood, the American Cancer Society says it is caused by mutations found in many different genes and possibly in one or more chromosomes.
In addition, medical professionals have identified other risk factors that may contribute to the development of ALL. These risk factors include exposure to high levels of radiation, exposure to certain chemicals (especially chemotherapy drugs), viral infections and certain inherited syndromes, such as Down syndrome and neurofibromatosis, among others.
Sterile Environments Increase the Ris
Only 1% of children born with the genetic mutation that causes ALL go on to develop leukemia, reported CNN. What’s more, instances of ALL are higher in developed, more sanitary countries. This led to an investigation into the role of environmental factors, such as cleanliness.
Researchers found that children who did not contract certain infections within the first year of life and did not, therefore, build up an immunity against them were more likely to develop ALL after contracting an infection later. It is believed possible that these infections, unchecked by the immune system, trigger ALL.
Protecting Children
A child’s immune system is their first defense against disease. One of the ways to support a healthy immune system is to breastfeed. Breastfeeding provides a child with antibodies, immune factors, enzymes and white blood cells, says HealthyChildren.org. All of these improve a child’s immune system.
Early exposure to colds, viruses and germs can also improve a child’s immunity. Playing with other children and/or attending daycare or just playing in the park with dirt and other kids is a great way to come into contact with these infections and to have the chance to fight them off early on. However, researchers still recognize the need for hygiene and safety in these germy environments.
Yes, germs cause illness, but they are also essential for developing a robust immune system. For this reason, medical professionals advise against raising children in a sterile environment. However, some children may require various levels of sterility to accommodate medical conditions and this advice should always be followed. Speak with a doctor if you have questions about how to protect a child from a germ-riddled world while providing the exposure they need to build healthy systems.
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