Fear of Hypoglycemia in Children and Adolescents and Their Parents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is a frequent occurrence in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A variety of efforts have been made to standardize the definition of hypoglycemia and to define one of its most significant psychosocial consequences-fear of hypoglycemia (FOH). In addition to documenting the experience of FOH in children and adolescents type l diabetes and their parents, studies have investigate the relations between FOH and glycemic control and diabetes technology use. This review provides a summary of the recent FOH literature as it applies to pediatric type 1 diabetes.

Reexamining the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey for Parents of Young Children in a Sample of Children Using Insulin Pumps

“…20 As a measure of validity, we correlated our modified HFS-PYC questionnaire with children self-monitoring blood glucose levels. While previous research has been inconsistent regarding the association between parents' FH and children's glycemic control, 5,8,9 our findings revealed that the HFS-PYC worry subscale was negatively associated with children's average daily blood glucose and the percent of very high glucose levels and positively associated with the percent of blood glucose levels in the target range. It is possible we were able to measure these associations, while past research was not, because we employed a very specific definition of target blood glucose according to Bergenstal et al's 21 recommendations for standardizing glucose reporting.…”

“…1,2 Hypoglycemia is potentially dangerous because it can lead to uncomfortable counter-regulatory symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, irritability, weakness, sweating, a racing pulse, and neuroglycopenia. 1,[3][4][5] Moreover, in young children (<8 years old), repeated episodes of hypoglycemia have been linked to at least transient problems with attention management, information processing, and executive functioning. 6 Due to their heightened sensitivity to insulin, erratic eating behaviors, unpredictable activity levels, and difficulty in recognizing or reporting symptoms, young children tend to be highly susceptible to episodes of hypoglycemia.…”

“…The latter can negatively impact their parents, who commonly report fear of hypoglycemia (FH). 5 FH is a term used to describe severe anxiety-like symptoms related to glucose management as well as the use of hypoglycemic avoidance behaviors. 5,[7][8][9] Past research suggests that FH is reported by up to 60% of parents of young children based on self-report using the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents of Young Children (HFS-PYC).…”

“…5 FH is a term used to describe severe anxiety-like symptoms related to glucose management as well as the use of hypoglycemic avoidance behaviors. 5,[7][8][9] Past research suggests that FH is reported by up to 60% of parents of young children based on self-report using the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents of Young Children (HFS-PYC). 8,9 The HFS-PYC is a reliable and valid measure of FH adapted from an existing adult questionnaire, the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey.…”

Evaluation of the quality of life and satisfaction with the therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes — is Medtronic MiniMed 640G system able to improve it? Preliminary insights

“…According to the literature, hypoglycemia is one of the most common acute complications in diabetes treated with insulin and the risk of hypoglycemia can become a psychological obstacle to receiving optimal glycemic control [8]. Severe hypoglycemia is still a huge problem in the group of pediatric patients: rates ranging from 5 to 12% [9]. It is not only related to unpleasant symptoms but can also frighten pediatric patient and caregivers as well.…”