Routine behavioral and mental health screening in young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Pediatr Diabetes. 2014 Aug;15(5):384-8. doi: 10.1111/pedi.12099. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: behavior; children; diabetes mellitus, type 1; mental health; screening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / psychology*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Mental Health
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States