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Effect on Glycemic Control of an Early Intensive Dietary Structured Education Program for Newly Diagnosed Children
Abeer Alassaf1, Lobna Gharaibeh2, Sarah Ibrahim1
1Department of Pediatrics, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Insights
A new dietary program improved glycemic control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to conventional education. This intervention was most effective for children over five, showing better blood sugar management in T1D patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management requires effective educational strategies for pediatric patients.
- Conventional diabetes education may have limitations in achieving optimal glycemic control.
- The development of innovative educational programs is crucial for improving T1D outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of a structured educational program (SEP) versus conventional diabetes education on glycemic control in children with T1D.
- To identify factors influencing the outcomes of the SEP in pediatric T1D patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective medical chart review at Jordan University Hospital.
- Comparison of glycemic control (HbA1c) between children in the SEP (June 2017-Dec 2019) and conventional education (Jan 2014-Dec 2016).
- Assessment of various factors, including age, maternal education, and hospital admissions, on SEP outcomes.
Main Results:
- The SEP group showed significantly lower glycated hemoglobin at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis compared to the conventional group (P=0.001 and P=0.032, respectively).
- The SEP demonstrated a better effect on glycemic control in patients older than 5 years.
- Maternal educational level and prior hospital admissions for DKA/hyperglycemia were predictors of glycemic control at 12 months in the SEP group.
Conclusions:
- The dietary SEP is associated with superior glycemic control compared to conventional diabetes education at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis.
- The positive impact of the SEP is more pronounced in children over 5 years old and those with higher maternal educational attainment.
- The findings suggest that tailored educational interventions can enhance diabetes management in pediatric populations.
Methods:
This is a retrospective medical chart review study at Jordan University Hospital. The glycemic control of children who were diagnosed with T1D and included in the SEP between June 2017 and December 2019, was compared with those who were exposed to the conventional diabetes education, between January 2014 and December 2016. Various factors were assessed for the possible effects on the SEP outcomes.
Results:
The average age at diagnosis for the 112 persons with diabetes (PwD) included in the dietary SEP was 8.30 ± 3.87 years. Glycated hemoglobin was lower in children in the SEP group at 6 months (P value = 0.001) and 12 months (P=0.032) but not at 24 months (P=0.290). SEP had better effect on patients older than 5 years. The possible predictors of glycemic control for the SEP group at 12 months included the mother's educational level and the number of hospital admissions due to DKA and hyperglycemia during the first year after diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Our dietary SEP was associated with better glycemic control than conventional diabetes education, at 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. It had a positive effect, mainly in PwD patients who are older than 5 years and had higher maternal educational level.
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