Diabetes in children: Family responses and control

Although children can adapt well to chronic illnesses, some studies suggest an increased prevalence of psychiatric problems in their parents. Poor parental adaptation to the child's illness is associated with decreased ability to care for the child. More specifically, low parental self-esteem is associated with poor control of the child's diabetic condition. Furthermore, emotional stress in the child may have psychophysiologic consequences, such as hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Appropriate management of parental or familial psychosocial disturbances can help control the child's diabetes.