Infant Swimming Increase the Risk of Atopy and Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The benefits of infant swimming must be considered against the risk of adverse occurrences during infant swimming practice. Several research studies have recommended against newborn swimming since there is little data to support its use in preventing drowning in infants.  Methodology / Evidence Acquisitionː In the context of the PRISMA guidelines, the researcher did a systematic review and meta-analysis research on infant swimming. From 1950 to 2021, an online database search was conducted using keywords and MeSH terms such as "infant swimming", "safety", "infant swimming lessons", and "infant diving" on healthcare search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, BioMed Central, Cochrane Library, ERIC, PILOTS, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Science Direct, Taylor & Francis, and Med SC. The researcher excluded articles that were first published in a foreign language and did not have an English translation. Findings / Evidence Synthesisː The risk of respiratory tract infection is greater in the control group, 95% confidence interval is 1.95 [1.24, 1.97] (p = 0.000). The difference in risk of atopy is between infant swimmers and the control group is significant, and the risk is greater in the control group compared to swimming infants; 95% confidence interval is 1.36 [1.01, 1.84] (p = 0.000). Conclusions/ Originality Value: Swimming does not raise the risk of infection in infants, nor does it predispose them to asthma. We propose further more research into the benefits of infant swimming in reducing the burden of childhood drowning, which is the leading cause of death in this age group.