Timing of babies' first solid food critical in preventing diabetes

An early and late first exposure to solid food for infants might be associated with the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), a new study has revealed.

The research conducted by Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, has found that both early- less than 4 months of age and late- greater than or equal to 6 months of age- first exposure to any solid food was associated with development of T1DM (hazard ratio [HR] 1.91, and HR, 3.02, respectively).

The results also indicated that early exposure to fruit and late exposure to rice or oat was associated with an increased risk of T1DMB (HR, 2.23 and HR, 2.88, respectively), whereas breastfeeding when wheat or barley (HR, 0.47) were introduced appeared to be associated with a decreased risk.

"Our data suggest multiple foods/antigens play a role and that there is a complex relationship between the timing and type of infant food exposures and T1DM risk. In summary, there appears to be a safe window in which to introduce solid foods between 4 and 5 months of age; solid foods should be introduced while continuing to breastfeed to minimize T1DM risk in genetically susceptible children. These findings should be replicated in a larger cohort for confirmation," the authors conclude.

The study was published in a JAMA Network publication.