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Dietary manipulation of beta cell autoimmunity in infants at increased risk of type 1 diabetes: a pilot study

H K Akerblom1, S M Virtanen, J Ilonen

  • 1Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, PO Box 700, 00029 Helsinki, Finland. hans.akerblom@helsinki.fi

Diabetologia
|April 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A dietary intervention using casein hydrolysate formula in high-risk infants may reduce the development of type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies. This pilot study suggests potential for early dietary manipulation to influence beta cell autoimmunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infants with a family history of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and specific HLA-DQB1 alleles are at increased genetic risk.
  • Early life factors, including diet, may influence the development of autoimmune responses in T1D.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of a dietary intervention trial in high-risk infants.
  • To investigate the effect of casein hydrolysate formula on the emergence of diabetes-associated autoantibodies.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized pilot trial involving 242 newborn infants at high risk for T1D.
  • Infants received either casein hydrolysate or conventional formula after exclusive breastfeeding.
  • Autoantibodies were measured over a mean follow-up of 4.7 years.

Main Results:

  • The study successfully established feasibility for screening, enrollment, and follow-up.
  • A trend towards lower autoantibody incidence was observed in the casein hydrolysate group.
  • Life-table analysis indicated significant protection from islet cell antibodies (ICA) and multiple autoantibodies with the intervention.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides preliminary evidence that dietary intervention in infancy may modulate spontaneous beta cell autoimmunity.
  • Further larger, well-powered studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Abstract

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