Studies are showing that birth order can actually have an impact on health. You can’t help the order that your children are born in. But knowing what ailments are likely to strike your oldest child can help you keep them safe, happy, and healthy!
Firstborn children score an average of three points higher on IQ tests than younger siblings do. Smarts are good, this is better: research from the University of Glasgow suggests that children who score higher on IQ tests are less likely to develop coronary heart disease and some cancers.
Firstborn children are more likely to suffer from allergies, asthma, and eczema. Why? Researchers think it might be that firstborn children are more protected from outside germs until they start school. Younger children might be developing stronger immune systems, thanks to the viruses and bacteria that older siblings bring home from school.
Know the difference between a cold and allergies. Approximately half of all chronic sinus infections are allergy related! If you aren’t sure whether or not allergies are a problem, talk to your pediatrician about allergy testing.
Firstborn men have a greater risk of developing testicular cancer. Why? The oldest child is generally exposed to higher estrogen levels in the womb, as compared to subsequent children. Testicular cancer is curable if it is caught in an early stage. If there is a family history of this cancer, the American Cancer Society suggests a monthly self-exam to help catch testicular cancer before it advances too far.
I must confess — I am a firstborn child. At least I don’t have to worry about testicular cancer… but I did struggle with allergies as a child. My brother did, too, but they appeared before I really had a chance to boost his immune system by bringing germs home from school (he was three and I was five). I feel very fortunate that I grew out of the most important allergy: animal dander.