Perinatal risk factors for early childhood onset type 1 diabetes in Austria - a population-based study (1989-2005).
BACKGROUND
To investigate the rapid increase in incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children <5 yr in Austria.


METHODS
Data of children born between 1989 and 2005 (n = 444) from the T1DM children incidence registry were linked with birth certificates (n = 1 407 829).


RESULTS
Age of mother, level of education, birth weight, birth length, body mass index, and APGAR score at 10 min were not significant. Boys have about 25% higher risk than girls [hazard ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-0.91]. The risk of developing diabetes increases over time significantly (1989-1991 vs. 2001-2005, hazard ratio = 2.86, 95% CI: 2.07-3.94). The linear effect of parity is borderline significant (p = 0.045), with lower risks for second and later born siblings. Marital status is significant [hazard ratio = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.90)]. Native-born children exhibit twice as high risk as non-native children (hazard ratio = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.37-0.71). Birth weight shows a positive but not significant effect on risk of T1DM.


CONCLUSIONS
In this very young and rapidly increasing cohort of diabetic children <5 yr of age, no association with birth weight but with year of birth, gestational age, nationality and parity could be observed.
Waldhoer
Thomas
T
Department of Epidemiology, Center of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. thomas.waldhoer@meduniwien.ac.at
Rami
Birgit
B
Schober
Edith
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001034:Apgar Score; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D010500:Perinatology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors