Respiratory Symptoms and Infections among Children in a Day-Care Center with Mold Problems

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Abstract
The prevalence of irritative symptoms and the incidence of respiratory infections among children in a day‐care center affected by mold were compared with those in a reference day‐care center. A retrospective pilot study was made in the mold‐problem day‐care center. Analysis of absenteeism records and a one‐year follow‐up study were made in both day‐care centers. In the pilot study, half of the exposed 41 children had prolonged or frequent symptoms and respiratory infections. In addition, the absenteeism in the mold‐problem day‐care center was nearly twice as high as in the reference day‐care center. After cessation of the exposure, the occurrence of respiratory symptoms decreased and no lower respiratory tract infections appeared.