Fear of hypoglycemia in parents of children with type 1 diabetes. (22nd June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkes, Colin Patrick; McDarby, Vincent; Cody, Declan
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 50:Number 8(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 639
• Page End: 642
• Publication Date: 2014-06-22
• Subjects: Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jpc12621-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The aim of this study is to determine if parental hypoglycaemia fear is associated with worse glycaemic control and increased resource utilisation and to identify risk factors for increased hypoglycaemia fear.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12621-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Parents of children with diabetes completed a modified Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey. Demographic data, phone contacts and mean glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were also recorded over a 1 year study period.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12621-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 106 parents participated. Mean patient age was 11.1 years, and duration of diabetes was 4.8 years. Fifty‐two per cent were male, and 48% were on insulin pump therapy. Fear of hypoglycaemia was highest among parents of 6‐ to 11‐year‐olds. Parents of children with HbA1c less than 7.5% had less hypoglycaemia fear. Previous seizures and increased frequency of phone calls to the diabetes team were not associated with increased fear.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12621-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Fear of hypoglycaemia is associated with worse glycaemic control. It is highest among parents of 6‐ to 11‐year‐olds but is not affected by previous severe hypoglycaemia or associated with increased contact with the diabetes team.</p> </sec> </abstract>