Background: Type 1 diabetes in young children is a heavy parental burden. As part of
pilot phase of the KIDSAP01 study, we conducted a baseline assessment in parents to
study the association between hypoglycemia fear, parental well-being and child behavior.
Methods: All parents were invited to fill in baseline questionnaires: hypoglycemia fear
survey (HFS), WHO-5, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Strength and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ).
Results: 24 children (median age: 5-year, range 1-7 years, 63% male, mean diabetes
duration: 3 ± 1.7 years) participated. 23/24 parents filled out the questionnaires. We found
a higher score for the hypoglycemia fear behavior 33.9 ± 5.6 compared to hypoglycemia
worry 34.6 ± 12.2. Median WHO-5 score was 16 (8 - 22) with poor well-being in two
parents. Median daytime sleepiness score was high in five parents (>10). For six children a
high total behavioral difficulty score (>16) was reported. Pro social behavior score was
lower than normal in six children (<6). Parental well-being was negatively associated with
HFS total (r = - 0.50, p <.05) and subscale scores (r = - 0.44, p <.05 for HFS-Worry and
HFS-Behavior), child behavior (r = - 0.45, p = .05) and positively with child age and
diabetes duration (r = 0.58, p <.01, r = 0.6, p <.01). HFS, parental well-being nor daytime
sleepiness are associated with the HbA1c.
Conclusion: Regular screening of parental well-being, hypoglycemia fear and child
behavior should be part of routine care to target early intervention
