An intervention protocol for parental management of nocturnal hypoglycemia in young children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is an acute complication of diabetes management which can contribute to neurocognitive impairment and poor metabolic control in children with IDDM. This study was conducted to determine if an intervention protocol for nocturnal hypoglycemia management prevents or minimizes the frequency of nocturnal hypoglycemic episodes (NHE: blood glucose (bg) ;A randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design was used which included 31 children, 2 to 8 years of age (;Hypotheses. Intervention group children would have lower prevalence rates of NHE, fewer NHE, and longer time to first NHE without compromising metabolic control measured by mean fasting bg and pre- and post-study HbA1C. Parent measures of stress and hypoglycemia fear were used as predictor variables for NHE.;Prevalence of NHE was similar for both groups with all children experiencing multiple asymptomatic NHE. Intervention group children had fewer NHE (;The intervention did not prevent NHE, but reduced the frequency of NHE over time without compromising metabolic control.