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Risk factors to health in diabetic children: a prospective study from diagnosis
W F Auslander1, B J Anderson, J Bubb
1George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130.
Insights
Children with diabetes from Black and single-parent families showed poorer metabolic control. This pattern persisted for years, highlighting the need for targeted family interventions to improve diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Social Determinants of Health
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus in children requires understanding factors influencing health status.
- Metabolic control, measured by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), is a key indicator of disease management.
- Psychosocial, family, and demographic factors may impact pediatric diabetes outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore associations between health status and psychosocial, family, and demographic factors in children with recent diabetes mellitus diagnosis.
- To identify specific factors that correlate with metabolic control in pediatric diabetes patients.
- To inform targeted interventions for families facing challenges in managing childhood diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Assessed health status using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) in 42 children with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus.
- Investigated relationships between metabolic control and demographics, family social climate, self-concept, and treatment compliance.
- Employed multiple regression analysis to determine significant predictors of metabolic control.
Main Results:
- Metabolic control was significantly associated with race, number of parents in the home, family cohesion, and socioeconomic status.
- Children from Black and single-parent families exhibited a higher risk for poorer disease control.
- This association between family structure/race and poorer control persisted 2 and 3 years post-diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Race and single-parent family structures are identified as risk factors for poorer metabolic control in pediatric diabetes.
- Findings suggest a need for enhanced interventions, particularly social work practice, for at-risk families.
- Early identification of families benefiting from targeted support is crucial for improving long-term pediatric diabetes outcomes.
Abstract:
This study explored associations between health status and psychosocial, family, and demographic factors among 42 children with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Health status was assessed using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), a measure of the children's level of metabolic control. Four groups of variables were investigated as possibly relating to metabolic control: demographics, family social climate, child's self-concept, and compliance with the treatment regimen. Metabolic control was associated with race, number of parents in the home, family cohesion, and socioeconomic status. Multiple regression analysis indicated that children from black and single-parent families were at higher risk for poorer disease control and that this pattern persisted 2 and 3 years after diagnosis. These findings can help identify families that may benefit from more effective interventions involving social work practice.