ESPE Abstracts

Objective: to determine the association of various genetic and environmental risk factors with T1DM

Study design: a case control study Place and duration of study: this study was conducted at University of Child Health Sciences, the Children’s hospital, Lahore from mm/yy to mm/yy

Methodology: The total study population consisted of two groups, that is, cases and controls. Cases consisted of children with T1D while control did not have T1D. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire by interview method from parents of children participating in the study. Relevant demographic data and information regarding various genetic and environmental risk factors was recorded.

Results: A total of 300 children participated in the study; 150 each in cases and control group. Mean age of the participants was 7.90 + 4.553 years. Pearson chi square test revealed that difference between the two groups was significant for cow’s milk introduction in infancy (p-value=0.001), early weaning (p-value=0.001), and vitamin D supplementation (p-value=<0.001) amongst the environmental factors. Amongst the genetic factors, difference was significant for history of autoimmunity in self (p-value=0.004), and family history of autoimmunity (p-value=0.003) and family history of T1D (p-value=<0.001).

Conclusion: Children with history of autoimmunity or T1D is self or family, early introduction to cow’s milk and supplementary foods are at higher risk for T1D. However, relationship was not established between T1D and history of a prior Covid 19 infection or recurrent infections. Further studies are needed to establish cause and effect relationship.

Key words: diabetes, risk factors, autoimmunity, early weaning, cow’s milk introduction