Objective: To assess the effects of maternal age and birth order on the risk of IDDM in Asian Indians.
Research design and methods: Data from a diabetes registry in Madras, India, was used to find IDDM patients diagnosed before 20 yr of age. A questionnaire was used to elicit clinical details of subjects.
Results: Children with mothers < or = 24 yr of age had a higher percentage of IDDM. Children with lower birth orders had a higher prevalence of IDDM.
Conclusions: The risk of IDDM in children is increased in children with lower birth orders, born of younger mothers.