Hemophilus influenzae type b disease. An epidemiologic study with special reference to day-care centers
S. R. Redmond and M. E. Pichichero
Day-care centers are a relatively new phenomena of American society that
bring together large numbers of young children susceptible to contagious
disease. This study examines the incidence and risk factors of endemic
Hemophilus influenzae type b disease both in the general population and in
day-care attendees in Monroe County, New York, for 1982 and 1983. The
attack rate in the general population (excluding day-care attendees) was
highest in children younger than 1 year (131.9 cases per 100,000 per year)
and in those 1 to 2 years old (75.7 cases per 100,000 per year) compared
with older children. The relative risk for day-care attendees was much
greater than that of the general population. It was 12.3 times greater for
children younger than 1 year, 7.2 times greater for those 1 to 2 years old,
and 3.8 times greater for those 2 to 3 years old. We conclude that children
attending day-care facilities face a substantial increased risk of
contracting invasive H influenzae type b disease. Efforts to prevent
susceptibility and contagious spread of this disease in this population
seem necessary.
