Prediction of autoimmune diabetes and celiac disease in childhood by genes and perinatal environment: Design and initial aims of the PAGE study

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease result from misdirected immune mediated destruction of host cells, and are among the most common chronic diseases in children. Despite changes in incidence over the past 3 decades, little is known about non-genetic risk factors (except for dietary gluten for celiac disease). Norway is among the countries in the world with the highest incidence of these two diseases. We describe here plans and study design for the PAGE study (Prediction of Autoimmune diabetes and celiac disease in childhood by Genes and perinatal Environment). PAGE is a sub-study within the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study, including follow-up of more than 100,000 pregnancies. Children who develop type 1 diabetes or celiac disease are identified via linkage to the Norwegian Patient Register and the Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry, with complementing information from questionnaires. The overall aim is to test hypotheses about potential non-genetic risk factors for type 1 diabetes and for celiac disease, with focus on factors operating early in life. In addition to a full cohort analysis of factors registered in questionnaires, we will analyse biomarkers in maternal blood plasma and cord blood plasma. Mothers and children will be genotyped for well-established susceptibility polymorphisms. Biomarkers will be analysed in cases and controls within the cohort. Factors to be tested in the full cohort include infant feeding, diet and dietary supplements in the mother during pregnancy and in the child, and use of antibiotics and non-prescription drugs. Biomarkers to be tested include 25-hydroxyvitamin D, markers of immune activation, and small metabolites (metabolomics). We will also explore the potential role of maternal cells in the fetal circulation (maternal microchimerism) in later risk of celiac disease and type 1 diabetes.