HbA1c In Children Research Articles

The Impact of Parental Electronic Health Literacy on Disease Management and Outcomes in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

Despite the growing uptake of smart technologies in pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) care, little is known about caregiving parents' skills to deal with electronic health information sources. We aimed to assess the electronic health literacy of parents caring for children with T1DM and investigate its associations with disease management and children's outcomes. A cross-sectional survey was performed involving 150 parent-child (8-14 years old with T1DM) dyads in a university pediatric diabetology center. Parents' electronic health literacy (eHealth Literacy Scale [eHEALS]), general health literacy (Chew questionnaire and Newest Vital Sign [NVS]), and attitudes toward T1DM care (Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Diabetes Management [PSESDM] and Hypoglycemia Fear Survey [HFS]) were investigated. Children's treatment, HbA1c level, and quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Diabetes Module [PedsQL Diab] and EQ-5D-Y-3L) were assessed. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the determining factors of 6-month average HbA1c. Of the 150 children, 38 (25.3%) used a pen, 55 (36.7%) used a pen plus a sensor, 6 (4.0%) used an insulin pump, and 51 (34.0%) used an insulin pump plus a sensor. Parents' average eHEALS score (mean 31.2, SD 4.9) differed significantly by educational level (P=.04) and the children's treatment (P=.005), being the highest in the pump + sensor subgroup. The eHEALS score showed significant Pearson correlations with the Chew score (r=-0.45; P<.001), NVS score (r=0.25; P=.002), and PSESDM score (r=0.35; P<.001) but not with the children's HbA1c (r=-0.143; P=.08), PedsQL Diab (r=-0.0002; P>.99), and EQ-5D-Y-3L outcomes (r=-0.13; P=.12). Regression analysis revealed significant associations of the child's HbA1c level with sex (β=0.58; P=.008), treatment modality (pen + sensor: β=-0.66; P=.03; pump + sensor: β=-0.93; P=.007), and parents' self-efficacy (PSESDM; β=-0.08; P=.001). Significantly higher parental electronic health literacy was found in T1DM children using a glucose sensor. The electronic health literacy level was associated with parents' diabetes management attitude but not with the child's glycemic control. Studies further investigating the role of parental electronic health literacy in T1DM children managed at different levels of care and the local context are encouraged.

Comparison of anxiety, stress, and social support levels of female patients with type 1 diabetes and mothers whose children have type 1 diabetes.

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are insulin-dependent from diagnosis. Both the individual and their immediate circle are at risk for psychiatric morbidity. We aimed to compare the anxiety, stress, and social support levels of adult women with a diagnosis of T1DM and adult women with a child diagnosed with T1DM. Besides, the study intended to examine two groups' stress and anxiety factors. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Data Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Sixty-three women participated in the study. There was no difference between the groups regarding anxiety, stress, and perceived social support score averages (p > 0.05 each). However, clinically significant state anxiety was higher in the group of mothers (χ²=4.234 df = 1 p = 0.040). In women with T1DM, higher education was associated with lower stress, lower state, and lower trait anxiety (r=-0.455 p = 0.004, r=-0.428 p = 0.007, r=-0.317 p = 0.049); higher numbers of insulin injections were associated with higher state anxiety (r = 0.368 p = 0.021), social support was associated with lower stress and lower trait anxiety (r=-0.478 p = 0.002, r = 0.449 p = 0.004). In mothers of diabetic children, the increase in the child's HbA1c level was associated with an increase in the mother's state anxiety (r = 0.433 p = 0.035); social support was associated with lower trait anxiety (r=-0.421 p = 0.040). Caring for a child with T1DM was stressful and anxiety-provoking as having T1DM. Interventions including social support, may benefit mental health in mothers of diabetic children and women with T1DM.

Prediabetes: Adherence to Nutrition Visits Decreases HbA1c in Children and Adolescents.

BackgroundPrediabetes, the precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D), is on the rise in the US, but the determinants of its progression are poorly characterized in youth.ObjectiveTo determine the impact of nutrition visits, as a surrogate marker of lifestyle modification, on the trajectory of prediabetes over a 4-year period.HypothesisAdherence to nutrition visits could reduce BMI and lower HbA1c.MethodsA 4-year retrospective study of 108 youth with prediabetes who were recommended to receive medical nutrition therapy every 3 months following their diagnosis. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: the non-adherent group who had ≤1 nutrition visit/year, and the adherent group with ≥2 nutrition visits/year.ResultsThere were 46 male subjects, mean age 12.4 ± 3.6y; and 62 female subjects, mean age, 13.3 ± 3.0y, p=0.2. The adherent group (n=44, 41.5%) had higher BMI z-scores, but similar values for HbA1c, metformin use, and racial/ethnic composition compared to the non-adherent group. Overall, 18(17.0%) subjects progressed to T2D in 4y and consisted of 14(22.6%) of the 62 non-adherent subjects and 4(9.1%) of the 44 adherent subjects. The non-adherent subjects progressed to T2D at a mean duration of 25.8 ± 12.6 months while the adherent subjects progressed at a mean duration of 34.9 ± 11.8 months. The hazard ratio of progression from prediabetes to T2D for the non-adherent versus adherent group was 3.88 (95%CI 1.26-11.98, p=0.02). The results remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, and metformin use.ConclusionAdherence to nutrition visits was associated with a 4-fold reduction in the likelihood to progress from prediabetes to T2D in US youth.

Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on the Level of 25(OH)D3, Osteocalcin, and HbA1c in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease caused by insulin deficiency resulting from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis in T1DM is associated with reducing osteoblast proliferation, survival, and activity. Osteocalcin (OC) is a marker of late-stage osteoblast differentiation. It might be positively modulated by vitamin D. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on the level of 25(OH)D3, HbA1c, and OC in children with T1DM. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to measures the levels of 25(OH)D3, HbA1c, and OC in children with T1DM supplemented with vitamin D3. Many 26 children with T1DM were equally assigned into two groups: control (standardized insulin treatment) and treatment group (standardized insulin treatment + vitamin D3 2000 IU/day). Subject characteristics showed that the subjects were predominantly female (15/26), well-nourished (19/26), the average age is 12,31 ± 3,069 year, and the dose of insulin average is 1,17 ± 0,233 IU/kg BW/day. Our data demonstrated that vitamin D3 treatment significantly increased the level of 25(OH)D3 and improved glycemic control, represented by a low HbA1c level. However, there was no significant difference in OC level in both groups (independent t-test, p &gt; 0.05). Further analysis showed no significant relationship between the level of 25(OH)D3, HbA1c, and OC. We concluded that vitamin D3 supplementation improves children's glycemic control with T1DM, but no significant alteration on OC levels.Keywords: HbA1c, Osteocalcin, T1DM, Vitamin D

Peer-support intervention for African American and Latino parents to improve the glycemic control trajectory among school-aged children with type 1 diabetes: A pilot and feasibility protocol

BackgroundType 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common, chronic pediatric health condition with complicated management demands. African American and Latino children with T1D have troubling disparities in glycemic outcomes and acute complications. While there are empirically supported behavioral interventions to support disease management in youth with T1D, there are few that specifically aim to reduce health disparities in this population. While collaborative parent involvement with the child with T1D management tasks is important to promote optimal glycemic outcomes during childhood, our formative research identified multiple individual, family, and broader system factors that impede or facilitate collaborative parental involvement among African American and Latino parents of children with T1D.MethodsThis paper describes the development, design, and study protocol for the Type 1 Diabetes Empowerment And Management (TEAM) pilot trial. The TEAM intervention is a novel, group-based behavioral intervention designed to enhance collaborative involvement in T1D management for African American and Latino parents of children aged 5–10. This randomized pilot trial's primary aim is to evaluate the TEAM intervention's feasibility and acceptability. The secondary aim is to examine preliminary intervention outcomes (i.e., children's HbA1c, treatment adherence, collaborative parent involvement in T1D management, parent/child quality of life, and parent's diabetes-related distress, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy) compared to usual T1D care.DiscussionThe trial will provide preliminary information about whether optimizing appropriate parent involvement during the school-age years may increase T1D treatment adherence and stabilize or improve glycemic control in African American and Latino school-aged children.

Identifying HbA1c trajectories and modifiable risk factors of trajectories in 5- to 9-year-olds with recent-onset type 1 diabetes from the United States.

To explore glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) patterns in 5- to 9-year-olds in the recent-onset period of type 1 diabetes and identify parent psychosocial factors that may predict children's HbA1c trajectory using a prospective, longitudinal design. We measured family demographics and parent psychosocial factors at baseline. We collected HbA1c levels from children every 3months for up to 30months. Deriving several features around HbA1c trends, we used k-means clustering to group trajectories and linear and logistic regressions to identify parent psychosocial predictors of children's HbA1c trajectories. The final cohort included 106 families (48 boys, mean child age 7.50±1.35years and mean diabetes duration 4.71±3.19months). We identified four unique HbA1c trajectories in children: high increasing, high stable, intermediate increasing and low stable. Compared to a low stable trajectory, increasing parent-reported hypoglycaemia fear total score was associated with decreased odds of having a high stable or intermediate increasing trajectory. Increasing parent-reported diabetes-specific family conflict total score was associated with increased odds of having a high stable or intermediate increasing trajectory. We are the first to identify distinct HbA1c trajectories in 5- to 9-year-olds with recent-onset type 1 diabetes as well as parent psychosocial factors that may predict high stable or increasing trajectories and could represent future treatment targets.

MON-086 Various Subcutaneous Continuous Glucose Monitors Comparably Lower HbA1c in Children

Background: Preliminary studies have demonstrated improvement in metabolic control of patients (PTs) using subcutaneous Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (CGMs). In this study, we investigated the effect of CGMs on PTs’ glycemic control and compared the change in patient HbA1c levels between sensors. Objective: To determine how CGMs affect metabolic control in PTs and the effect of different sensors on glycemic control. Patients and Methods: 33 PTs with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) who began using a CGM between 2017 and 2019 were selected for inclusion. CGM systems used included DexcomG6™, DexcomG5™, DexcomG4™, Enlite™, Guardian 3™, or Medtronic Sure-T™ sensors. Results: The mean (MN) age of PTs at initial visit was 15.3 ± 5.1 yrs and the MN age at second visit was 15.8 ± 5.1 yrs. The MN time between visits was 5.0 ± 2.4 months (mos). 6 PTs had follow up (F/U) times less than 3 mos, 18 PTs had F/U times between 3 and 6 mos, 6 PTs had F/U times between 6 and 9 mos, and 3 PTs had F/U times greater than 9 mos. The MN and median (MD) HbA1c at the initial visit for all PTs was 8.28% ± 1.48 and 8.10%, respectively. The MN and MD HbA1c at final F/U for all PTs was 7.57% ± 1.11 and 7.50%, respectively. The difference in MN HbA1c was significant (p<0.001).The MN and MD HbA1c at the initial visit for PTs with a F/U time less than 3 mos was 7.55% ± 0.77 and 7.75%, respectively. The MN and MD HbA1c at F/U for these PTs was 7.20% ± 0.79 and 7.20%, respectively. The difference in MN HbA1c was significant (p<0.05).The MN and MD HbA1c at the initial visit for all PTs with a F/U time greater than 3 mos was 8.44% ± 1.53 and 8.10%, respectively. The MN and MD HbA1c at F/U for these PTs was 7.66% ± 1.15 and 7.50%, respectively. The difference in MN HbA1c was significant (p<0.001).The MN change of HbA1c between visits was not significant between PTs who had 3–6 mo, 6–9 mo, and 9+ mo F/U times (p=0.96)15 PTs had HbA1c levels less than or equal to 8.0%. The MN and MD HbA1c at initial visit for these PTs was 7.20% ± 0.41 and 7.30%, respectively. The MN and MD HbA1c at F/U for these PTs was 6.75% ± 0.47 and 6.80%, respectively. The difference in MN HbA1c was significant (p<0.001).20 PTs had HbA1c levels greater than 8.0% at initial visit. The MN and MD HbA1c at the initial visit for these PTs was 9.18% ± 1.47 and 8.80%, respectively. The MN and MD HbA1c at F/U for these PTs was 8.26% ± 1.03 and 8.00%, respectively. The difference in MN HbA1c was significant (p<0.001). The MN change in HbA1c between the high HbA1c group (-.92% ± 1.02) and low HbA1c group (-0.45% ± 0.32) was not significant (p>0.05).25 PTs used a Dexcom™ sensor while 8 PTs used a Medtronic™ sensor. The MN change in HbA1c was not significant between these brands (p>0.05). Conclusion: CGMs improve metabolic control in pediatric PTs with Type 1 DM regardless of initial HbA1c. Further, this improved control is sustained over time. Sensor brands appear to be equally effective at achieving this goal.

Early Initiation of Diabetes Devices Relates to Improved Glycemic Control in Children with Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: To test whether the addition of an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) related to reduced glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in large cohort of children, 5-9 years old, and within 1 year of their type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis. Research Design and Methods: The study uses data from families of children with recent-onset T1D and who were between 5 and 9 years old. Study analyses used children's HbA1c values at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up. Parents reported on family demographics and children's T1D device use in their daily management (e.g., insulin pump or CGM). Children's mean T1D duration was 4.70 ± 3.28 months at baseline, so the 6-month assessment point was ∼12 months postdiagnosis. Results: One hundred-eleven families participated. At baseline, child mean age was 7.51 ± 1.37 years, and mean child HbA1c was 7.65% ± 1.40%. In addition, 17% of children used an insulin pump, and 17.1% of children used CGM. Six months later, 35.1% of children had started an insulin pump and 25.2% had started CGM. Repeated measures analyses of variance results showed a smaller overall HbA1c between baseline and 6 months for children using an insulin pump versus children not on a pump. For CGM, results showed that children starting a CGM during this window had a significantly lower HbA1c level than children who had not started on CGM. Conclusions: The study results suggest that early initiation of either an insulin pump or CGM in children newly diagnosed with T1D may help to improve child HbA1c levels within the first 12 months of diabetes.

Children's Age, Family Conflict, and Children's HbA1c: Are Girls and Boys Different?

This study examined the relation between children's sex, age, family conflict, and children's glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Parents of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were recruited from the diabetes clinic of a midwestern children's hospital. The survey included demographics and the Diabetes Family Conflict Scale (DFCS). The index child's HbA1c was obtained. DFCS was significantly associated with HbA1c for both boys and girls (rs = 0.3, P < 0.001); however, girls had significantly higher median HbA1c levels (8.8) than boys (8.4, P = 0.003). Median HbA1c levels in boys younger than 12 years (8.2) were significantly lower compared with girls younger than 12 years (8.7, P = 0.025) or older girls (9.0, P < 0.001). Median DFCS scores were similar for all boys-approximately 25-but families with older girls had significantly higher scores compared with younger girls (27.0 vs 24.0, P = 0.04). DFCS scores were significantly related to HbA1c levels. Psychosocial factors are related to HbA1c in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

An Intervention by a Patient-Designed Do-It-Yourself Mobile Device App Reduces HbA1c in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Double-Crossover Study

Prevention of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)-related complications is dependent on metabolic control. The recommended glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values <7.5% (58.5 mmol/mol) are met only by a minority of diabetic children and especially adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an intervention comprising the use of Webdia, a patient-designed app for smartphones, on metabolic control of T1DM in children. Fifty-five patients with T1DM, 10-18 years of age, were included in this single-center, randomized double-crossover study. We tested an intervention consisting of using Webdia for 3 months with monthly feedback and adaptation of the treatment. Main outcome was modification of HbA1c. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of hypoglycemia and quality of life (QoL). Of the 55 included patients, 33 completed the study, 9 dropped out, and 13 were excluded due to insufficient use of the app. The app was well accepted by the users who completed the study (46.4% rated the program as good and 39.3% as excellent). The intervention led to a reduction of HbA1c by 0.33%, compared to the control group in which HbA1c rose by 0.21% (P = 0.048) in patients with HbA1c values >8.0% (63.9 mmol/mol) at inclusion, without increasing the prevalence of hypoglycemia (8.52 ± 9.45 hypoglycemic events during last 2 weeks of intervention vs. 7.62 ± 6.37 observation, P = 0.680). QoL scores were not modified. The intervention resulted in a significant decrease in HbA1c, without increasing the prevalence of hypoglycemia in patients with initial HbA1c >8.0% (63.9 mmol/mol).

Glycemic control in young children with diabetes: The role of parental health literacy

ObjectiveThis cross sectional study examined the relationship between parental health literacy (HL), diabetes related numeracy, and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy on glycemic control in a sample of young children with Type 1 DM. MethodsSeventy primary caregivers of children (age 3–9 years) with Type 1 DM were recruited and surveyed at diabetes outpatient clinic visits. Patients’ medical histories were obtained by medical chart review. ResultsParental diabetes related numeracy (r=−.52, p<01), but not reading skills (r=−.25, p=NS) were inversely correlated with the child's glycemic control (HbA1c). Parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy was also negatively correlated to their child's HbA1c (r=−.47, p<01). When numeracy and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy were included as predictors of HbA1c, the model was significant (F=12.93, p<.01) with both numeracy (β=−.46, p<.01) and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy (β=−.36, p=.01) as significant predictors of HbA1c. ConclusionsData from this study highlight the importance of considering the role of parental numeracy, in health outcomes for children with Type 1 DM. Practice implicationsPractitioners should assess parental health literacy and consider intervention when needed.

Diabetes Self-Management Profile Short Form: A Preliminary Report

Effective family management of type 1 diabetes in childhood is critical to maintaining optimal glycemic control. The purpose of this study was to provide preliminary evidence for a reduced form of the Diabetes Self-Management Profile (DSMP) using Rasch modeling techniques. The study was a secondary analysis of DSMP data drawn from a previous study on patterns of self-management from 239 preadolescents with type 1 diabetes. Rasch modeling strategies were used to identify the most informative items and then a reduced score composite was correlated with hemoglobin A1c (A1c) and blood glucose monitoring (BGM) frequency. A short form of the DSMP was obtained using seven items that comprised all five subscales of the DSMP. The DSMP Short-Form (DSMP-SF) composite score correlated significantly with child's HbA1c and BGM frequency. The DSMP-SF may be considered a valid and effective screening interview alternative to the longer, original, DSMP, particularly when attempting to identify high-risk patients.

Feeding problems reported by parents of young children with type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy and their associations with children’s glycemic control

Previous research demonstrated high rates of perceived mealtime behavior problems in families of young children with type 1 diabetes who were managed with conventional therapy. Because of new insulin regimens that offer greater flexibility, reexamination of mealtime behaviors is required. We assessed parent-reported mealtime behaviors in a sample of young children using an insulin pump. An additional aim was to evaluate the associations of two measures of parental feeding behavior with children's glycemic control. Primary caregivers of 31 young children (mean age = 5.0 +/- 1.3 yr) completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Behavioral Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was used as a surrogate marker for children's glycemic control. Children had a mean HbA1c of 7.8 +/- 0.64%. Mean CFQ - Restriction and Pressure to Eat scores were 3.1 +/- 0.94 and 2.0 +/- 0.88, respectively (range = 1-5). Mean BPFAS - Parent and Child scores were 16.0 +/- 4.3 (range = 10-50) and 44.9 +/- 9.3 (range = 25-125), respectively. Positive correlations were found between children's HbA1c levels and caregivers' reporting of frequency of child mealtime behavior problems. Caregivers of young children on pump therapy report relatively low rates of mealtime behavior problems. However, correlations with children's HbA1c suggest that parent-child mealtime behaviors continue to relate to children's health outcomes. Research is needed to determine if changing mealtime interactions can improve children's glycemic control; items from the BPFAS and CFQ can offer targets to guide interventions.