Breast-feeding not linked to type 1 diabetes in high-risk population

An analysis of data from children enrolled in the MIDIA study indicates no association between breast-feeding and the risk for developing type 1 diabetes or autoislet autoimmunity.

Multivariate analysis of the data showed that the only variable linked to type 1 diabetes or autoislet immunity was having a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes (P<.001). After adjustment for this factor, researchers found no significant association between development of type 1 diabetes and full breast-feeding (OR=1.28; P=.66) or any breast-feeding (OR=1.01; P=.99). Similar results were noted for full breast-feeding (OR=1.3; P=.41) or any breast-feeding (OR=1.25; P=.51) and islet autoimmunity.

For the study, the researchers assessed data from the MIDIA prospective cohort study, which included children with the high-risk human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype. Of 48,000 children genotyped, 1,047 had the high-risk HLA genotype. At 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, parents filled out questionnaires and the researchers obtained blood samples from the children. Full and any breast-feeding were defined using WHO criteria, and logistic regression analyses were used to identify the relationship between type 1 diabetes and islet autoimmunity and full or any breast-feeding and parent or infant characteristics.

For more information:

Lund-Blix NA. P-876. Presented at: the 49th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes; Sept. 24-27, 2013; Barcelona, Spain.

Disclosure: The study was supported by the Norwegian Extra Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation.