title: The relationship between maternal fear of hypoglycaemia and adherence in children with type-1 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regular blood glucose monitoring is important for children with type-1 diabetes; however, the relationship between maternal fear of hypoglycaemia and glycaemic control is not well understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between maternal beliefs about diabetes, concerns about glycaemic control and adherence to recommended blood glucose levels in young children with type-1 diabetes were examined in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-one mothers with children under 13 were recruited, and a prospective design was used. Demographics, maternal self-reported hypoglycaemic fear and illness perceptions were measured at baseline. Self-report daily blood sugar levels were recorded over 1 week, and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) blood glucose levels were collected at baseline and 3 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High maternal fears of hypoglycaemia were predictive of suboptimal daily glycaemic control (elevated blood glucose levels), irrespective of illness duration or age at diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that mothers who worry most about hypoglycaemia compensate by maintaining their child's blood glucose levels above recommended levels. Elevated blood glucose levels have important consequences for long-term health, and further research could explore ways to target maternal fear of hypoglycaemia.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia, efrec8224@psych.usyd.edu.au.
authors.forename: Evril
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Freckleton
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin