Association of breastfeeding and early cereal introduction with development of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children in Pakistan: Case study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the association between type 1 diabetes mellitus development, breastfeeding and early cereal introduction in Pakistani children. Study Design: Case-control study. Setting: Allied Hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Period: November 2023 to February 2024. Methods: Involving 220 children ranged from 2 to 10 years were selected for case (diagnosed with type 1 diabetes) and Control group (without diagnosed with type 1 diabetes). Researchers developed a questionnaire based on information about breastfeeding, cereal introduction and other factors associated with type 1 diabetes. Parents were requested to complete the questionnaire regarding their child, mother, and family. Results: The mean ages of children were slightly higher in the control group (6.2±5.5 years) compared to the case group (5.67±7.4 years). This research determined that a one-month cumulative increase in exclusive breastfeeding for the duration of the breastfeeding period decreased the individual risk by 47.8% to 13.9% less probability in type 1 DM case. Among cases, 47.8% of the children were exclusively breastfed for less than one month, which was very low, while in the control group, this proportion was lower at 30. 6%. Furthermore, more cases (22.6%) were exclusively breastfed for 6 months compared to controls (13.9%). Among cases, 45.5% of children did not consume formula, whereas in the control group, this percentage was lower at 54.2%. Additionally, a higher proportion of controls (39.8%) were introduced to the formula before 6 months compared to cases (30.0%). Cereals were introduced to 5.55% of cases and 3.12% of controls prior to six months of age. Conclusion: Children who were breastfed for a longer period of time had a lower chance of type 1 diabetes, while children who were introduced to cereal and other food at an early age had a higher risk of the disease. Extended breastfeeding lowers the risk of diabetes by offering important protective effects from birth.