Monday July 21, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study has found that infants fed gluten containing foods before age 3 months were at significantly higher risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus, compared with those who were not fed foods of this sort.

The study of 2,291 children with a family history of type 1 diabetes, who were prospectively followed from birth for 28,983 patient years showed that infants eating gluten-containing foods within the first three months were 245 percent more likely to develop type 1 diabetes mellitus, compared with those receiving exclusive breastfeeding.

Infants fed gluten containing foods with the first three months were also found at higher risk for developing islet autoantibodies and multiple islet autoantibodies, compared with those breastfed infants.

On the other hand, children who used infant formula or other solid foods within the first three months and children who ate gluten-containing foods after age 6 months were not at higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus and islet autoantibodies and multiple islet autoantibodies. (David Liu)

Chmiel R, Beyerlein A, Knopff A, Hummel S, Ziegler AG, Winkler C. Early infant feeding and risk of developing islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Acta Diabetol. 2014 Jul 20.