Perinatal and neonatal determinants of childhood type 1 diabetes

This study included 196 children with type 1 diabetes and 325 age and sex matched controls. A wide range of variables was investigated including parity, birth order, gestational age, birthweight, head circumference, birth length, Apgar score, neonatal illnesses, jaundice, congenital malformation, initial exclusive breastfeeding. There was an increased risk of diabetes associated with illness in the neonatal period (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.06 - 2.44). Neonatal illnesses were mainly infections (29,9%) and respiratory difficulties (47%). There was a protective effect of initial exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45 - 0.94). The data regarding breastfeeding were limited to the neonatal period. Pre-eclampsia, mother's age, and mother's type 1 diabetes were also risk factors.