The study is carried out among 128 mothers of infants, questioned several times during a period of 18 months on their way of cleaning the pacifier of their children. The study shows that children whose parents sucked on the pacifier had lower levels of IgE, a type of antibody linked to allergic responses. Thus, higher levels of IgE indicate a higher risk of allergies and allergic asthma.
- Of the 128 participating mothers, 58% said their child currently uses a pacifier.
- Among parents whose child uses a pacifier,
- 41% clean it by sterilization,
- 72% wash it by hand,
- 12% suck it to clean it!
- Parental sucking has been shown to suppress IgE levels in children from 10 months of age and for 18 months.
Transfer of health-promoting microbes: More research is needed, but researchers speculate that the effect may be related to the transfer of health-promoting microbes from the parent's mouth. However, it remains to be determined whether the lower IgE production observed in these children will continue in the years to come.
We already knew - the hygiene hypothesis - that exposure to certain microorganisms in early life stimulates the development of the immune system and can protect against allergic diseases later in life. The parents' sucking of the child's pacifier could be an example of how parents can pass on healthy microorganisms to their young children.
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