Low parental income and education level may be linked to the risk of severe bacterial infections in children

“In our study, we used the extensive Finnish registries. They enabled examining the correlation of parental socio-economic status and severe bacterial infections in children to this extent for the first time”, explains Deputy Chief Physician, MD Anniina Kyrönlahti from New Children's Hospital.

The study conducted by HUS Helsinki University Hospital and the University of Helsinki examined severe bacterial infections in children under the age of 16 in Finland between 2002 and 2016. The research data was collected from national registries. The data was then combined with records on blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture-positive bacterial infections and parental income and education level.

Based on the results, lower parental income and maternal education level were associated with an increased risk of bacterial infection in children, even though the result was not statistically significant.

Elevated risk of E. coli and pneumococcal infections in low-income families

The connection with parental socio-economic status was not consistent across all bacterial infections. The difference was most evident with Escherichia coli, which had a higher risk of occurrence in low-income families. Also, a trend toward higher risk of pneumococcal infections was seen in families with lower parental education level.

Escherichia coli is the most common aerobic bacterium in the human intestines. It occasionally causes infections in the urinary tract and bowels, as well as meningitis.

Pneumococcus, or Streptococcus pneumoniae, is a common bacterium that causes minor upper respiratory tract infections, but also more severe conditions such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia.

“The results suggest that socio-economic factors can have an effect on childhood health even in a welfare state, and these factors should be noted in infection prevention, treatment guidance, and accessibility of healthcare services”, says Specialist in Healthcare, Pediatrician and Associate Professor Laura Madanat-Harjuoja.

The differences may be related to likelihood of seeking treatment

Further and more extensive studies in the Nordic countries would be necessary to verify the results. In addition, more information is needed on background factors, such as delays in access to treatment and nutritional status.

The researchers suggest that the differences may be caused by how likely the families are to seek treatment and how quickly the child can access treatment and examinations. Parents’ health literacy may also affect how quickly they recognize the child’s symptoms and how they react to the symptoms.

Even though healthcare is generally available to everyone in Finland, these results show that socio-economic differences can still affect childhood health. This is why the researchers emphasize that diverse family backgrounds need to be kept in mind in infection prevention and healthcare.

Research article: Parental Socio-Economic Factors and the Risk of Invasive Bacterial Infections in Children: A Register-Based Finnish Study

Further information:

Laura Madanat-Harjuoja, specialist in healthcare, pediatrician and associate professor, University of Helsinki
laura.madanat-harjuoja@hus.fi

Anniina Kyrönlahti, deputy chief physician, MD HUS Helsinki University Hospital
anniina.kyronlahti@hus.fi

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