Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Routine behavioral and mental health screening in young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Ian Spencer Zenlea1, Lauren Mednick, Jennifer Rein
1Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Background:
The American Diabetes Association and International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes recommend that providers of diabetes care receive training in the recognition of psychosocial problems related to diabetes.
Objective:
To report the results of routine behavioral/mental health screening for children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) seen in a multidisciplinary pediatric diabetes program.
Subjects And Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study of children with T1D ages 4-11 years, who underwent behavioral/mental health screening as part of their diabetes care. Screening utilized the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Parent Proxy Version, and scores were reviewed by a social worker. SDQ scale and total difficulties scores were compared by gender, visit type, age, T1D duration, and HbA1c. Scores were also compared to age-appropriate normative data for children in United States of America (US).
Results:
SDQ Parent Proxy Version total difficulties and scale scores did not differ by patient or visit characteristics. Compared with normative data for US children, a greater proportion of children with T1D ages 4-7 and 8-10 years had borderline/abnormal scores on the emotional symptoms scale (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively), suggesting risk for psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that children less than 11 years old with T1D may have greater emotional symptoms as compared to their age-matched healthy peers. Pediatric diabetes care providers, with access to mental health services, should consider incorporating routine behavioral/mental health screening for children less than 12 years old in their practice.
More Related Videos
07:41Behavioral Assessment of Visual Function via Optomotor Response and Cognitive Function via Y-Maze in Diabetic Rats
Published on: October 23, 2020
06:50A High-Throughput Electrochemiluminescence 7-Plex Assay Simultaneously Screening for Type 1 Diabetes and Multiple Autoimmune Diseases
Published on: May 29, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Hyperglycemia