Risk Factors of Barnard et al for Fear of Hypoglycemia in a Parent of a Young Child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

 

Risk factors for parental fear of hypoglycemia in a child with Type 1 diabetes:

(1) mother

(2) anxiety and/or depression

(3) history of seizure or other serious complication of hypoglycemia in the child

(4) no or inadequate training in how to manage the child’s diabetes

(5) lack of awareness of the child’s blood glucose level

(6) limited resources to help with coping

 

Concerns of the parent may include:

(1) nocturnal hypoglycemia

(2) not being available to help the child

(3) others not being able to help the child

(4) occurrence of seizures or other serious complications

 

Consequences of fear about hypoglycemia:

(1) poor glucose control with hyperglycemia

(2) overteatment of symptoms that may or may not be related to a hypoglycemia episode

(3) abnormal home environment