ESPE Abstracts

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic immune mediated condition where autoimmunity against pancreatic beta cell is triggered by many environmental factors in genetically susceptible person. Association of poor infant feeding practices as potential risk factor for developing T1DM is still debatable.

Objective: The aim of this study is to look for association of infant feeding malpractices with type 1 diabetes mellitus in developing countries.

Methodology: It is prospective observational case control study conducted at Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic of Hameed Latif Hospital, Lahore. Total 60 children, aged 1-18 year were included, with 30 known T1DM (case) and 30 healthy non-diabetic (control). Different infant feeding malpractices such as lack of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, introducing cow milk before 1 year of age and early weaning (before 6 months of age) were noted in both groups. These risk factors were statistically assessed for their association with T1DM by Chi square test with P value <0.05 considered significant.

Results: Lack of exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 month of life does not seem to be associated with T1DM (P=0.532). Introducing cow milk before 1 year of age and early weaning (before 6 month of age) seems to be a significant risk factor for T1DM with P values of 0.02 and 0.045 respectively.

Conclusion: Introduction of cow milk in infancy and early weaning seems to be an important risk factor in developing type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, further studies with large cohort are needed to confirm this association.