J Pediatr Nurs. 2025 Dec 26;86:681-687. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.12.019. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their parents often need additional support in managing the condition.
AIM: This study examined the effect of online counseling provided to mothers of children and adolescents newly diagnosed with T1D on A1C levels and patient outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2022 and December 2023, 40 mothers whose children were newly diagnosed with T1D were included. Children's A1C levels and clinical outcomes (hospital admissions, hospitalization frequency, diabetic ketoacidosis, and lipohypertrophy) were retrospectively recorded over 12 months.
RESULTS: Among the 40 children (aged 3-17) who were hospitalized due to diabetes, 37.5 % had been hospitalized 4-5 times in total. The rehospitalization rate was 10 % among those with 1-2 hospitalizations and 7.5 % among those with three or more hospitalizations. Most did not develop diabetic ketoacidosis (85 %) or lipohypertrophy (80 %). The mean A1C at diagnosis was 11.53 % ± 2.16 %, decreasing to 7.77 % ± 1.04 % at 12 months. The largest drop occurred in the first 6 months (ΔM = 2.88, p < 0.001), with slower but significant declines at later intervals.
CONCLUSION: Online counseling was associated with improvements in A1C and patient outcomes during the first year post-diagnosis. Integrating such support into routine care may enhance the effectiveness of diabetes management in children and adolescents.
PMID:41455371 | DOI:10.1016/j.pedn.2025.12.019