C. De Beaufort

Caesarean section is associated with an increased risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Aims/hypothesisThe aim of this study was to investigate the evidence of an increased risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section by systematically reviewing the published literature and performing a meta-analysis with adjustment for recognised confounders.MethodsAfter MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE searches, crude ORs and 95% CIs for type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section were calculated from the data reported in each study. Authors were contacted to facilitate adjustments for potential confounders, either by supplying raw data or calculating adjusted estimates. Meta-analysis techniques were then used to derive combined ORs and to investigate heterogeneity between studies.ResultsTwenty studies were identified. Overall, there was a significant increase in the risk of type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15–1.32, p < 0.001). There was little evidence of heterogeneity between studies (p = 0.54). Seventeen authors provided raw data or adjusted estimates to facilitate adjustments for potential confounders. In these studies, there was evidence of an increase in diabetes risk with greater birthweight, shorter gestation and greater maternal age. The increased risk of type 1 diabetes after Caesarean section was little altered after adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, birth order, breast-feeding and maternal diabetes (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.36, p = 0.01).Conclusions/interpretationThis analysis demonstrates a 20% increase in the risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes after Caesarean section delivery that cannot be explained by known confounders.

Trends in childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in Europe during 1989–2008: evidence of non-uniformity over time in rates of increase

Aims/hypothesisThe aim of the study was to describe 20-year incidence trends for childhood type 1 diabetes in 23 EURODIAB centres and compare rates of increase in the first (1989–1998) and second (1999–2008) halves of the period.MethodsAll registers operate in geographically defined regions and are based on a clinical diagnosis. Completeness of registration is assessed by capture–recapture methodology. Twenty-three centres in 19 countries registered 49,969 new cases of type 1 diabetes in individuals diagnosed before their 15th birthday during the period studied.ResultsAscertainment exceeded 90% in most registers. During the 20-year period, all but one register showed statistically significant changes in incidence, with rates universally increasing. When estimated separately for the first and second halves of the period, the median rates of increase were similar: 3.4% per annum and 3.3% per annum, respectively. However, rates of increase differed significantly between the first half and the second half for nine of the 21 registers with adequate coverage of both periods; five registers showed significantly higher rates of increase in the first half, and four significantly higher rates in the second half.Conclusions/interpretationThe incidence rate of childhood type 1 diabetes continues to rise across Europe by an average of approximately 3–4% per annum, but the increase is not necessarily uniform, showing periods of less rapid and more rapid increase in incidence in some registers. This pattern of change suggests that important risk exposures differ over time in different European countries. Further time trend analysis and comparison of the patterns in defined regions is warranted.

Are family factors universally related to metabolic outcomes in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes

Aims  To assess the importance of family factors in determining metabolic outcomes in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes in 19 countries.

Target setting in intensive insulin management is associated with metabolic control: The Hvidoere Childhood Diabetes Study Group Centre Differences Study 2005

Swift PGF, Skinner TC, de Beaufort CE, Cameron FJ, Åman J, Aanstoot H‐J, Castaño L, Chiarelli F, Daneman D, Danne T, Dorchy H, Hoey H, Kaprio EA, Kaufman F, Kocova M, Mortensen HB, Njølstad PR, Phillip M, Robertson KJ, Schoenle EJ, Urakami T, Vanelli M, Ackermann RW, Skovlund SE for the Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood Diabetes. Target setting in intensive insulin management is associated with metabolic control: the Hvidoere Childhood Diabetes Study Group Centre Differences Study 2005.

Associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and glycemic control in a large cohort of adolescents with type 1 diabetes: the Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood Diabetes

Background:  The Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood Diabetes has demonstrated persistent differences in metabolic outcomes between pediatric diabetes centers. These differences cannot be accounted for by differences in demographic, medical, or treatment variables. Therefore, we sought to explore whether differences in physical activity or sedentary behavior could explain the variation in metabolic outcomes between centers.

Level of physical activity among children and adolescents in Europe: a review of physical activity assessed objectively by accelerometry

This study explored the proportion of European youth who are sufficiently active according to physical activity (PA) recommendations, based exclusively on objective assessment through accelerometers. A systematic electronic search of studies published up to March 2012 was conducted. PubMed was used to identify accelerometry-assessed PA studies that involved European youth. Within the 131 European studies, only 35 clearly reported the proportion of youth meeting the PA recommendations. Different thresholds lying between 1000 and 4000 counts/min (cpm) were used to define moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Overall, up to 100% of youth may be sufficiently active when using a threshold of approximately >1000-1500 cpm. With the most cited cut-off point (i.e. >2000 cpm), up to 87% of European youth might be considered physically active with reference to the current recommendations. Alternatively, with a cut-off point >3000 cpm, no more than 3-5% of them appeared to achieve these recommendations. The large discrepancy in outcomes released by accelerometer data is mainly due to the variety of cut-off points for MVPA among youth, hindering the definition of a clear goal towards PA promotion in Europe. Standardization of methods is urgently required.

Differential binding of IgG and IgA antibodies to antigenic determinants of bovine serum albumin

The aim of this study was to investigate the recognition pattern of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a major dietary protein by serum IgG and IgA antibodies. Anti‐BSA IgG and IgA antibodies were measured by ELISA technique in 3 different cohorts: 578 unselected persons, 84 new‐onset insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and 103 atopic persons. In order to characterize the recognition pattern of the different BSA domains, recombinant BSA and recombinant fragments covering the 3 BSA domains were produced. BSA digestion was monitored in simulated gastric fluid experiments by means of domain specific monoclonal antibodies.

Lessons from the Hvidoere International Study Group on childhood diabetes: be dogmatic about outcome and flexible in approach.

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most commonchronic diseases of childhood. Between 1989 and 2003, the incidence of type 1 diabetes in youth increased at approximately 3.9% per year with a projected doubling of cases in children aged <5 yr between 2005 and 2015 (1). This has substantial impact on those affected, their families, on pediatric diabetes care, and on national health care budgets. Much has changed over the last decade in terms of management strategies in type 1 diabetes, however, as Edwin Gale editorialized in 2005 that the challenges of diabetes remain much the same (2). In short, there are more cases resulting in increasing disease years characterized by greater medical and psychosocial complexity. The Hvidoere International Study Group on Childhood Diabetes evolved in 1994 during a meeting that was held in the immediate post Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT, 3) era to discuss strategies that could improve the quality of pediatric diabetes care and thereby improve subsequent adult outcomes. The objectives and mission statement of the Hvidoere group can be found on its website http://www.hvidoeregroup.org/. In short, this unique collaboration of 26 pediatric diabetes centers from 23 countries (Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia) has undertaken a series of research projects investigating critical determinants for long-term outcome of type 1 diabetes care discriminating in terms of outcomes and which aspects of care are universally effective. In all the Hvidoere studies, HbA1c was analyzed centrally at the Steno Diabetes Center, Denmark. In the period from 1997 to December 2002 HbA1c was analyzed using an automated high pressure liquid chromatographic method (Bio-Rad Variant, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA) using the same calibrator lots as the DCCT laboratory. From 2003 till now, HbA1c was analyzed by the DCCT aligned TOSOH Automated Glycohemoglobin Analyzer HLC-723G7, Tosoh Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Five major studies have been undertaken, both crosssectional and longitudinal, serving this goal. The findings detailed below show that these studies have led to an internationally recognized remission parameter (4) and have validated well-being and quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaires (with relevant translation, (5). The key thematic and practical findings of this body of work (published in 28 peer reviewed medical and scientific journals) are summarized in this review.

Seasonal variation in month of diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes registered in 23 European centers during 1989-2008: little short-term influence of sunshine hours or average temperature

The month of diagnosis in childhood type 1 diabetes shows seasonal variation.

The incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in subjects aged 0–19 years in Luxembourg: a retrospective study from 1977 to 1986

SummaryA decrease in the incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the age group 0–14 years has been observed from north to south over north-western Europe. To evaluate whether this trend could be found in Luxembourg (a small country between the Netherlands and France) we performed a retrospective study over a period of 10 years. Information concerning all Type 1 diabetic patients (aged 0–19 years at diagnosis), diagnosed between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1986 was obtained through paediatricians, internists, general practitioners and the Luxembourg Diabetes Association (LDA). The LDA was used as the ascertainment group (to estimate the real number and incidence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus). During the study period 91 Type 1 diabetic patients aged between 0–19 years were diagnosed. An incidence of 11.2 was found in boys (0–19 years). Girls in the same age group showed a considerably lower incidence of 8.8. Standardised incidence (using as standard the world population) revealed an almost similar incidence in the Netherlands and Luxembourg (respectively 10.3 and 10.2) for the age group aged 0–14 years. In France a considerably lower incidence is found (3.6). To what extent different methodology contributes to the differences remains to be clarified. Further prospective studies are necessary to investigate the role of environmental and genetic factors.