Related Experiment Videos
A case-control study of the effect of infant feeding on celiac disease
U Peters1, S Schneeweiss, E A Trautwein
1Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, University of Kiel, Germany.
Insights
Longer duration of breast-feeding significantly reduces celiac disease risk. The age of gluten introduction did not impact celiac disease incidence but may influence symptom onset age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten.
- Dietary factors, including breastfeeding and gluten introduction timing, are investigated for their role in celiac disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between breastfeeding duration, age of first gluten introduction, and celiac disease incidence and age of onset.
- To determine if breastfeeding duration or timing of gluten exposure influences celiac disease risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 143 children with celiac disease and 137 controls.
- Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on breastfeeding and gluten introduction.
- Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated.
Main Results:
- Children breast-fed for over 2 months had a 63% lower risk of celiac disease (OR 0.37).
- The age of first gluten introduction showed no significant effect on celiac disease incidence (OR 0.72).
- Age at first gluten exposure appeared to influence the age of symptom onset.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding duration demonstrates a significant protective effect against celiac disease incidence.
- The age at which gluten is first introduced does not appear to influence celiac disease incidence.
- Early gluten exposure timing may affect the age of celiac disease symptom presentation.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the duration of breast-feeding and the age at the first gluten introduction into the infant diet and the incidence and age at onset of celiac disease.
Methods:
In a case-control study, 143 children with celiac disease and 137 randomly recruited gender- and age-matched control children were administered a standardized questionnaire. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) as estimates of the relative risk and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated.
Results:
The risk of developing celiac disease decreased significantly by 63% for children breast-fed for more than 2 months (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21-0.64) as compared with children breast-fed for 2 months or less. The age at first gluten introduction had no significant influence on the incidence of celiac disease (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.29-1.79 comparing first gluten introduction into infant diet >3 months vs. < or =3 months).
Conclusions:
A significant protective effect on the incidence of celiac disease was suggested by the duration of breast-feeding (partial breast-feeding as well as exclusive breast-feeding). The data did not support an influence of the age at first dietary gluten exposure on the incidence of celiac disease. However, the age at first gluten exposure appeared to affect the age at onset of symptoms.