Timing of Solid Food Exposure Could Impact an Infant’s Risk of Diabetes

According to a new diabetes clinical study, the timing that parents chose to start their infants on solid foods seems to impact their risk of developing type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes). From the results of this research, it seems that both early and late first exposure to solid foods were associated with the development of this form of diabetes in children. The results of this clinical study have been published online in JAMA Pediatrics, a JAMA Network publication.

The incidence of type 1 diabetes has been increased around the world, with one of the fastest growing incidence rates children who are younger than 5. Given the prevalence of juvenile diabetes in young children, many clinical investigators have been interested in seeing how an infant’s diet could play a role in the development of diabetes.

Needed Infants with First-Degree Relatives who have T1D

This latest clinical study was conducted by Brittni Frederiksen, M.P.H., of the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado, Aurora, and a team of her colleagues. They examined the links between perinatal and infant exposures, particularly the diet during early infancy, and the development of type 1 diabetes. Newborn screening of blood taken from the umbilical cord helped assess disease susceptibility in the human leukocyte (HLA) region. These screenings were performed at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, and the infants all had first-degree relatives who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and lived in the local area.

Both early (prior to 4 months of age) and late (at or past 6 months of age) first time exposure to solid food was linked to the development of juvenile diabetes, according to the results of this diabetes clinical trial. While earlier exposure to fruits and later exposure to rice were associated with an elevated risk for type 1 diabetes, the data suggests that continued breastfeeding while wheat or barley were being introduced could reduce the risk of diabetes.

Minimize Risk of Type 1 Diabetes in Genetically Susceptible Children

In conclusion, Frederiksen wrote, “Our data suggests that multiple foods/antigens play a role and that there is a complex relationship between the timing and type of infant food exposures and T1DM risk. In summary, there appears to be a safe window in which to introduce solid foods between 4 and 5 months of age; solid foods should be introduced while continuing to breastfeed to minimize T1DM risk in genetically susceptible children. These findings should be replicated in a larger cohort for confirmation.”

Even though this clinical study has found a link between the timing at which solid foods are introduced and the development of type 1 diabetes, this research has yet to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. In essence, it would still be too early to justify any alterations in an infant’s diet based on this study.