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Environmental risk factors for type 1 diabetes in Rome and province.
N Visalli1, L Sebastiani, E Adorisio
1Unit of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Biomedical Research, University Campus Bio-Medico, University of Rome La Sapienza.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|July 24, 2003
Summary
Eczema and short breastfeeding duration are key environmental risk factors for type 1 diabetes in children. Maternal infections during pregnancy may also contribute to disease development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) development is influenced by genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures.
- Key exposure windows include gestational, neonatal, and early childhood periods.
- Environmental factors are hypothesized to trigger autoimmune beta cell destruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify environmental risk factors for type 1 diabetes in continental Italy.
- To investigate associations between early-life exposures and T1D development.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Rome and its province.
- 150 children with T1D (cases) and 750 age- and sex-matched controls (ages 6-18) were recruited.
- Exposure to environmental risk factors during pregnancy, neonatal period, and early life was assessed.
Main Results:
- Maternal infectious diseases during pregnancy were significantly more frequent in diabetic cases.
- Eczema and breastfeeding for less than three months were significantly more prevalent in T1D cases during early life.
- No specific neonatal risk factors were identified.
Conclusions:
- Eczema and limited breastfeeding (<3 months) are confirmed risk factors for T1D in a Southern European population.
- Further research is needed on the impact of maternal infectious disease characteristics (type, duration, treatment) during pregnancy on T1D risk.