tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52029609953624152912024-03-12T19:44:02.110-07:00screwsmalltalkAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531062204354319018noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202960995362415291.post-55381620138694295232013-10-08T18:31:00.001-07:002013-10-08T18:31:15.456-07:00Parents’ Feeding Choices May Raise Baby’s Risk for Celiac Disease MONDAY,
Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) — Delayed introduction of gluten to a baby’s
diet and breast-feeding longer than one year appear to increase the risk
of celiac disease, researchers report.<br />
People with celiac disease have an immune reaction to gluten, a
protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Over time, this abnormal
response can damage the small intestine and restrict nourishment,
affecting a child’s growth and development. <br />
“Avoidance of gluten as long as possible does not seem to be
advisable,” said lead researcher Dr. Ketil Stordal, a researcher and
consultant pediatrician at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in
Oslo.<br />
Late introduction of gluten — after 6 months of age — is associated
with a higher risk of celiac disease, and breast-feeding does not reduce
the risk, he added. <br />
However, “we do not believe this indicates any disadvantages of breast-feeding,” Stordal said. <br />
While the report, published online Oct. 7 in <i>Pediatrics</i>, finds
an association between prolonged breast-feeding and delayed gluten
introduction and celiac disease, it does not establish a direct
cause-and-effect relationship.<br />
Randomized trials are still needed, Stordal said. If the findings
hold up, this could mean “there is an important time window to start
gluten introduction in small amounts between 4 and 6 months of age,” he
added. <br />
Lara Field, a pediatric dietitian and nutrition advisor at the
University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, said there is a lot of
discussion about when to start solid foods and how to prevent celiac
disease and food allergies. <br />
“My recommendation is to start solids when the baby is
developmentally ready,” she said. This is when babies can sit up
unassisted, prop themselves up on their elbows, and have lost their
extrusion reflex — tongue thrust out of the mouth. “This developmental
readiness typically occurs between 4 and 6 months,” she said. <br />
The new information in this study is that breast-feeding past 12 months may increase risk for celiac disease, Field said. <br />
“This is new data and perhaps the statistical power is too low to prove this theory,” she added.<br />
Field said she routinely suggests exclusive breast-feeding until 6
months, and then gradually decreasing breast milk as solid foods are
increased up to 1 year. This is in line with recommendations from the
American Academy of Pediatrics. At 1 year of age, she suggests
transitioning to cow’s milk or an alternative, such as almond, coconut,
hemp or soy beverages.<br />
At least one expert remains unconvinced that the timing of gluten
introduction or prolonged breast-feeding plays a role in the development
of celiac disease. <br />
“If you have the genetic makeup for celiac disease and you are
introduced to gluten at any time, you are going to get the disease,”
said Dr. William Muinos, co-director of pediatric gastroenterology at
Miami Children’s Hospital in Florida.<br />
“That’s what we have to focus on — the genetic makeup of these
patients and not whether they get introduced to gluten early or late, or
if breast-feeding, that’s not the issue,” Muinos added. <br />
About one in 133 Americans has celiac disease, according to the
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. It is much more
common among children who have a parent or sibling with the disease.
Besides foods, gluten is found in many everyday products such as
vitamins and supplements, medicines, lip balm and the glue on stamps and
envelopes.<br />
For the study, Stordal’s team collected data on 107,000 children in
the Norwegian Patient Register. The introduction of gluten was reported
during the infant’s first 6 months of life and breast-feeding was
reported during the first 18 months.<br />
Among the nearly 82,200 children in the final analysis, 324 developed
celiac disease. In 8 percent of those cases, infants started eating
foods with gluten before or at 4 months of age. In 45 percent of cases,
gluten was introduced between 5 and 6 months of age, whereas nearly 47
percent of those who developed celiac disease first started eating foods
with gluten after 6 months.<br />
The risk for celiac disease was increased 27 percent when gluten was introduced late, the researchers noted.<br />
And breast-feeding after a year was associated with a 49 percent
increase in the risk for celiac disease, the study authors reported. <br />
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