IDDM and Milk Consumption: A case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil
- Suely Godoy Agostinho Gimeno, DPH and
- José Maria Pacheco De Souza, DPH
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of Sāo Paulo Sāo Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Sāo Paulo Sāo Paulo, Brazil
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Suely Godoy Agostinho Gimeno, Universidade Federal de Sāo Paulo, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva (Disciplina de Bioestatistica), Rua Botucatu 740, CEP: 04023–900, Sāo Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: suely{at}medprev.epm.br
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that breast-feeding is a protective factor against IDDM and that early exposure to cow's milk is a risk factor for the disease.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A case-control study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 346 diabetic children, aged < 18 years, were identified in two institutions in the city of São Paulo. Duration of exclusive breast-feeding and age of introduction to cow's milk products in infant diet were compared with 346 sex-, age-, and neighborhood-matched control children. All comparisons between diabetic and control children were done using paired tests.
RESULTS Statistically significant differences were found for the duration of exclusive breast-feeding (P = 0.007) and for the age of introduction to cow's milk products (P = 0.047). Control children had a longer time of exclusive breast-feeding and had received cow's milk later in their diet than the case children.
CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that a shorter duration of exclusive breast-feeding is a risk factor for IDDM (odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% CI 1.8–3.55) and that the introduction to cow's milk products before age 8 days is a risk factor for the disease (OR 2.29;95% CI 1.37–3.83).
- Received September 12, 1996.
- Accepted April 11, 1997.
- Copyright © 1997 by the American Diabetes Association
