Original Article

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

Authors: Miryoung Lee, PhD, MPH, Paul R. Breyer, MD, John M. Pascoe, MD, MPH

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the relation between children’s sex, age, family conflict, and children’s glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusions: DFCS scores were significantly related to HbA1c levels. Psychosocial factors are related to HbA1c in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Posted in: Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism40 Diabetes Mellitus5

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