Study: Babies Are Twice More Likely To Get Flu If They Have An Older Sibling

A study has found that babies are twice more likely to get severe flu if they have an older brother or sister.

A study by the University College London’s Great Ormond Institute of Child Health, published in the European Respiratory Journal, revealed that children are ‘effective spreaders’ and can easily pass viruses onto their vulnerable younger siblings.

In a study done from 424,048 children – almost all those born in Scotland between October 2007 and April 2015, researchers said that children under six months old with an older sibling were more than twice as likely to be admitted to hospital with flu than those who were the first child in the family. For those with two or more older siblings, the risk tripled.

They added that between 3 per cent and 11 per cent of babies and toddlers in developed countries acquire flu-associated illnesses each year.

Babies born between July and December who would be young and vulnerable at the start of the flu season were also at higher risk.

Parents are now being warned about the importance of getting older children vaccinated to protect their babies, who are usually not given a flu vaccine before the age of two.

Flu can be life-threatening in young children because it can cause lung infections, breathing difficulties and high fever, which can lead to fits.

“Flu can be a serious infection in very young children but at the moment there is no vaccine approved for babies under six months. This means we need to look at other ways to minimise the risk of infection,” lead researcher Dr Pia Hardelid said.

The researchers said vaccinating older children could protect babies and toddlers, while pregnant women could also have the vaccine to help build up their baby’s immunity.

“The nasal spray vaccine, which is now being offered in GP surgeries and primary schools in the UK, provides a good opportunity to protect the children who receive it, as well as their younger siblings.

“There is not much parents can do about the time of year their baby is born, but women can also help reduce the risk of serious flu for their newborns by taking up the invitation to have a vaccine when they are still pregnant.

“There is some evidence that maternal vaccination during pregnancy can protect young babies from flu infection,” Dr Hardelid added.

Further research will test whether the introduction of the vaccine for children aged two and older can help reduce cases of flu among babies under the age of two.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk