IDDM and milk consumption. A case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that breast-feeding is a protective factor against IDDM and that early exposure to cow's milk is a risk factor for the disease.


METHODS
A case-control study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 346 diabetic children, aged < 18 years, were identified in two institutions in the city of São Paulo. Duration of exclusive breast-feeding and age of introduction to cow's milk products in infant diet were compared with 346 sex-, age-, and neighborhood-matched control children. All comparisons between diabetic and control children were done using paired tests.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were found for the duration of exclusive breast-feeding (P = 0.007) and for the age of introduction to cow's milk products (P = 0.047). Control children had a longer time of exclusive breast-feeding and had received cow's milk later in their diet than the case children.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a shorter duration of exclusive breast-feeding is a risk factor for IDDM (odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% CI 1.8-3.55) and that the introduction to cow's milk products before age 8 days is a risk factor for the disease.
Gimeno
S G
SG
Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. suely@medprev.epm.br
de Souza
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008895:Milk, Human; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires