Inflammatory bowel disease: the crucial period of early childhood

A research team led by Professor Marie-Claude Rousseau of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and Dr. Prévost Jantchou, reseracher at the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Université de Montréal has made several promising discoveries regarding risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

This study of 2,728 Quebecers provides new scientific insights into the etiology of Crohn’s disease, chronic and incurable disease whose causes are not yet fully known. An article on these findings was published in the journal Digestive and Liver Disease.    

“Inflammatory bowel diseases affect nearly 1 in 100 Canadians and have a major impact on patients’ quality of life. With our work, we are providing concrete avenues for prevention, since to our knowledge, all of the factors studied can be modified by changing habits,” explains the study’s first author Canisius Fantodji, a doctoral student in epidemiology and immunology under the supervision of Professor Rousseau at INRS Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre.   

This is one of the few studies to look at exposure in early childhood, specifically 0 to 3 years of age. Yet early childhood is a crucial time for the establishment and diversification of the intestinal microbiota, the microbial ecosystem that plays a key role in intestinal health.

Breastfeeding and child nutrition: major factors

The research team observed the effects of breastfeeding and diet in early childhood on the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease later in life. These two factors directly influence the makeup of the microbiota.

In terms of diet, the research team made a novel finding: a slight increase in the risk of Crohn’s disease was observed when solid foods were introduced earlier (between 3 and 6 months of age) rather than later (past 6 months of age).

“Our work suggests that early introduction of solid foods in infancy may increase the risk of developing Crohn’s disease later in life. This discovery needs to be verified in other populations, but it opens the way for new avenues of research in this field,” emphasizes Professor Marie-Claude Rousseau, a specialist in epidemiology and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

The research team also stresses the importance of exclusive breastfeeding whenever possible, as it tends to reduce the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. This observation aligns with current scientific knowledge and supports infant nutrition recommendations.