Children's Age, Family Conflict, and Children's HbA1c: Are Girls and Boys Different?

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relation between children's sex, age, family conflict, and children's glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). METHODS: Parents of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were recruited from the diabetes clinic of a midwestern children's hospital. The survey included demographics and the Diabetes Family Conflict Scale (DFCS). The index child's HbA1c was obtained. RESULTS: DFCS was significantly associated with HbA1c for both boys and girls (rs = 0.3, P < 0.001); however, girls had significantly higher median HbA1c levels (8.8) than boys (8.4, P = 0.003). Median HbA1c levels in boys younger than 12 years (8.2) were significantly lower compared with girls younger than 12 years (8.7, P = 0.025) or older girls (9.0, P < 0.001). Median DFCS scores were similar for all boys-approximately 25-but families with older girls had significantly higher scores compared with younger girls (27.0 vs 24.0, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: DFCS scores were significantly related to HbA1c levels. Psychosocial factors are related to HbA1c in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.