<b>HLA genotype and probiotics modify the association between timing of solid food introduction and islet autoimmunity in the TEDDY Study</b>

Abstract

<p><i><b>Objective</b></i></p><p>To study the interaction between HLA genotype, early probiotic exposure, and timing of complementary foods in relation to risk of islet autoimmunity (IA).</p><p><br></p><p><i><b>Research design and methods</b></i></p><p>The TEDDY study prospectively follows 8,676 children with increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes. We used Cox regression model adjusting for potential confounders to study early feeding and the risk of IA in a sample of 7,770 children</p><p><br></p><p><i><b>Results</b></i></p><p>Any solid food introduced early (<6 months) was associated with increased risk of IA if the child had the HLA DR3/4 genotype and no probiotic exposure during the first year of life. Rice introduced at 4-5.9 months compared to later in the U.S. was associated with increased risk of IA.</p><p><br></p><p><i><b>Conclusions</b></i></p><p>Timing of solid food introduction, including rice, may be associated with IA in HLA DR3/4 children not exposed to probiotics. The microbiome composition under these exposure combinations requires further study.</p>