The Relation between Breastfeeding and Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus Type I in Saudi Arabia : Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a complex, chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk-reduction strategies beyond glycemic control. Type 1 diabetes is due to autoimmune β -cell destruction, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Since that prevalence of type 1 diabetes increased globally and Saudi Arabia considered as one of the top 10 countries for number of children with type 1 diabetes. Our aim is to know the relation between breastfeeding and incidence of diabetes mellitus type I during childhood in Saudi Arabia, and to know if early weaning is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus type I. Methods: an online cross sectional survey, written in Arabic language targeting both males and females’ living in Saudi Arabia from age 18 and below. Results: 407 participants 52.3% were diagnosed with type one diabetes and 47.7% are free from type one diabetes. 45% of participants are fed by breastfeeding only, 45.9% are fed by breastfeeding and formula while 9.1% were fed by formula only. 40.3% of participants were weaned at age of six months or less, while 21.6% at age of seven to twelve month. 38.1% of participants were weaned at age of thirteen to twenty four month. 52.3% of participants are diagnosed with type one diabetes with mean age of diagnosis at 10.6 years old, median at 10 years old and mode at 12 years old. 26.3% of those who are diagnosed with type one diabetes were fed by breastfeeding only while 59.6% were fed by breastfeeding and formula. On the other hand, 14.1% are fed by formula only.Conclusion: Type 1 diabetes has genetic predisposition, and as the affected relative is more closer, the risk is higher. Breastfeeding appears to be a protective factor against type 1 diabetes, and it is associated with less risk of getting type 1 diabetes.