Infant diet and type 1 diabetes in China

Infant milk and food introduction may be linked to type 1 diabetes risk in high incidence populations. Dietary data through age 12 months was collected for 247 type 1 diabetic cases and 443 controls in China, a low incidence population, to determine if milk and solid food intake differed. Age range at introduction to milk and formulas was similar in cases and controls but solid food introduction more often occurred before age 3 months in cases. Logistic regression analyses showed soy milk formula consumption at 4–6 (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) and 7–12 months of age (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.1) was associated with a twofold higher risk of type 1 diabetes, while steamed bread consumption (4–6 months, OR=0.44; 95% CI: 0.28–0.68; 7–12 months, OR=0.48; 95% CI: 0.34–0.69) and higher SES (4–6 months, OR=0.55; 95% CI: 0.39–0.78; 7–12 months, OR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.83) were negatively associated. Drinking cow’s milk at 7–12 months (OR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.43–0.85) was negatively associated with type 1 diabetes while consuming vegetables at 4–6 months (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.2) was positively associated. Results suggest that infant milk and solid food intake are associated with type 1 diabetes in China. Prospective studies may determine how these dietary factors impact disease etiology, particularly for at-risk-populations.