The hypothesis that breast-feeding can provide protection against the development of insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and would, therefore, be less common among subjects with IDDM was tested with a retrospective design. Cases (n = 268) were selected from the Colorado IDDM Registry and the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (Denver, CO). Two control groups were recruited, one from physicians' practices throughout Colorado (n = 291) and the second through random-digit dialing from the Denver area (n = 188). Cases were less likely to have been breast-fed than controls after adjustment for birth year, maternal age, maternal education, family income, race, and sex [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.70; 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 0.50–0.97]. This finding was consistent for both control groups and by birth-year intervals. A greater decrease in risk of IDDM was seen among subjects who had been breast-fed to an older age (for breast-feeding duration of ≥12 mo, adjusted OR = 0.54, 95% Cl = 0.27–1.08). The amount of IDDM that might be explained by breast-feeding habits (population percentage attributable risk) ranged from 2 to 26%, varying according to the breast-feeding prevalence reported in other studies. Replication of this work in different populations, controlled for the strong secular trends in breast-feeding habits, is critical before the hypothesis of protection is accepted.
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Original Articles|
December 01 1988
Reduced Risk of IDDM Among Breast-Fed Children: The Colorado IDDM Registry
Elizabeth J Mayer;
Elizabeth J Mayer
Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Children's Hospital
,Denver, Colorado
the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Richard F Hamman;
Richard F Hamman
Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Children's Hospital
,Denver, Colorado
the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Elizabeth C Gay;
Elizabeth C Gay
Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Children's Hospital
,Denver, Colorado
the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Dennis C Lezotte;
Dennis C Lezotte
Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Children's Hospital
,Denver, Colorado
the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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David A Savitz;
David A Savitz
Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Children's Hospital
,Denver, Colorado
the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Georgeanna J Klingensmith
Georgeanna J Klingensmith
Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Children's Hospital
,Denver, Colorado
the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Richard Hamman, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80262.
Diabetes 1988;37(12):1625–1632
Article history
Received:
January 14 1988
Revision Received:
June 03 1988
Accepted:
June 03 1988
PubMed:
3192037
Citation
Elizabeth J Mayer, Richard F Hamman, Elizabeth C Gay, Dennis C Lezotte, David A Savitz, Georgeanna J Klingensmith; Reduced Risk of IDDM Among Breast-Fed Children: The Colorado IDDM Registry. Diabetes 1 December 1988; 37 (12): 1625–1632. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.37.12.1625
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