Can Diabetes be Prevented by Late or Early Exposure to Solid Foods in Infancy?

In a study published by JAMA Pediatrics both early and late exposure to solid foods appears to be connected with insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetes.  Brittni Frederiksen, M.P.H., of the Colorado School of  Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, and colleagues, reviewed the infants’ perinatal and infant exposure, particularly in early infant diet, in relationship to the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

In a published statement, Frederiksen stated: “Our data suggest multiple foods/antigens play a role and that there is a complex relationship between the time and type of infant food exposures and Type 1 diabetes mellitus risk. In summary, there appears to be a safe window in which to introduce solid foods between four and five months of age; solid foods should be introduced while continuing to breastfeed to minimize Type 1 diabetes mellitus risk in genetically susceptible children. These findings should be replicated in a larger cohort for confirmation,” she concluded.

The study was conducted at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver and undertook newborn screening of umbilical cord blood for diabetes susceptibility in the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) and first degree relatives of individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Information gathered on infants less than four months of age and children greater than or equal to six months of age showed that any solid food was associated with development of Type 1 diabetes. As well, early exposure to fruit and late exposure to rice/oat was associated with an increased risk of Type 1 diabetes. On the plus side, breastfeeding when wheat/barley were introduced appeared to be associated with a decrease risk in the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.