Neuro-cognitive performance in children with type 1 diabetes--a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct meta-analyses of neuropsychological performance in young people with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
Meta-analysis of 24 studies. Studies published between 1980 and 2005 were identified. The inclusion criteria were: young people who were < or =19 years of age with type 1 diabetes, a case-control design and standardized neuropsychological tests of seven cognitive domains.


RESULTS
Diabetes was statistically associated with poorer performance on visuospatial ability (d = -0.29), motor speed (d = -0.26) and writing (d = -0.28), on sustained attention (d = -0.21) and reading (d = -0.23). Smaller effects were identified on full IQ (d = -0.14), on performance (d = -0.18) and verbal IQ (d = -0.15). Severe hypoglycemia was linked to deficits in short-term verbal memory (d = -0.14; Confidence Interval: -0.318, 0.024; p =.04).


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis indicates that children with type 1 diabetes have mild cognitive impairments and subtly reduced overall intellectual functioning.
Naguib
Justine M
JM
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W21PG, UK.
Kulinskaya
Elena
E
Lomax
Claire L
CL
Garralda
M Elena
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011932:Reading; D014706:Verbal Learning