Use of probiotic supplements in the first 27 days of life might reduce the risk of islet autoimmunity in children at the highest genetic risk of type 1 diabetes, according to an ongoing prospective cohort study involving nearly 7,500 children with type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies.

Investigators collected blood samples every 3 months between 3 and 48 months of age and every 6 months thereafter. They used questionnaires and diaries to monitor probiotic supplementation and infant formula use.

Probiotic supplementation at age of 0-27 days was linked with a decreased risk of islet autoimmunity, vs probiotic supplementation after 27 days or no probiotic supplementation. The association occurred in children with the DR3/4 genotype and was absent elsewhere.

The authors noted that the results need to be confirmed in further studies before recommendation of probiotics use is made.

Citation: Uusitalo U, Liu X, Yang J, et al. Association of early exposure of probiotics and islet autoimmunity in the TEDDY study. [Published online ahead of print November 9, 2015]. JAMA Pediatr. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.2757.