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Family characteristics and insulin dependent diabetes
1Institute of Child Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, St Michael's Hill, Bristol.
Insights
New research on childhood diabetes found that children diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were more likely to have a higher birth weight and less likely to be breastfed. Paternal factors, like occupation and family history, also showed correlations with IDDM onset.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a significant health concern in children.
- Understanding the risk factors and aetiology of childhood IDDM is crucial for prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential risk factors and familial characteristics associated with new cases of childhood IDDM in the British Isles.
- To explore correlations between birth weight, infant feeding, paternal occupation, and family history with IDDM diagnosis in children.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted in 1988 across the British Isles for new cases of IDDM in children under 15.
- Postal questionnaires were sent to parents of confirmed cases in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.
- Data were compared with national reference data and analyzed for correlations.
Main Results:
- Children diagnosed with IDDM were significantly heavier at birth compared to national references.
- Breastfeeding was less common in children with IDDM.
- A higher proportion of IDDM cases occurred in children whose fathers had nonmanual occupations.
- Positive correlations were found between the age at diagnosis of index cases and their diabetic fathers and siblings, but not mothers.
- Children diagnosed under 5 years were more likely to have fathers with IDDM.
Conclusions:
- Heavier birth weight, infant feeding methods, paternal age at IDDM onset, and paternal social class are potential pointers to the aetiology of childhood IDDM.
- Family history, particularly paternal and sibling history, plays a role in the age of IDDM onset in children.
Abstract:
During the calendar year of 1988 a survey of new cases of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in children under the age of 15 years in the British Isles was conducted. After cases had been confirmed and permission obtained to contact the families, postal questionnaires were sent to the parents of children diagnosed in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Children who developed diabetes were significantly more likely to be heavier at birth in comparison with national reference data. The diabetic children were less likely to have been breast fed, and there were more children than expected whose fathers were in nonmanual occupations. Where there was a first degree relative with IDDM there were positive correlations between the age at diagnosis of the index cases and that of their diabetic fathers and their diabetic siblings, but not their diabetic mothers. A higher proportion of children than expected who were diagnosed under the age of 5 years had fathers with IDDM. Characteristics of family members associated with IDDM in children that might provide pointers to the aetiology of the disease include heavier birth weight, method of infant feeding, the age at onset of IDDM in affected fathers and affected siblings, and the family lifestyle as defined by social class of the father.