Maternal and neonatal risk factors for type 1 diabetes mellitus among children in Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

This population-based case-control study was carried out to investigate mother and infant risk factors for diabetes among children aged 0 to 15 years. Maternal risk factors of interest included mother’s age, delivery method, marital status, education, mother’s T1DM status and hypertension. Infant risk factors included birth order, prematurity or full-term birth, size-for-gestational-age and birth weight. Diabetes cases were identified using the Newfoundland & Labrador Diabetes Database (NLDD) for childhood diabetes maintained by the Janeway Pediatric Research Unit. The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information’s Live Birth System (LBS) was used to obtain mother’s demographic and clinical data related to the pregnancy and birth. Two-hundred and sixty-six cases identified from the NLDD were linked to the LBS. Three control subjects were selected for each case. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was carried out to assess the risk factors associated with the development of T1DM. C-section delivery was associated with increased risk of T1DM (HR 1.41, p=0.015) when birth weight and gestational age were included in the regression model. This study presented a unique opportunity to use clinical and administrative data to examine risk factors associated with T1DM, a health issue of great significance in Newfoundland and Labrador. Findings may have an impact on health practice, health care planning and future research related to T1DM among children.