Disease and Demographic Risk Factors for Disrupted Cognitive Functioning in Children with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)

Abstract

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) is an illness that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Both acute and chronic metabolic abnormalities relate to poorer neuropsychological functioning in the areas of information processing speed, visual spatial ability, and memory. Children with IDDM demonstrate lower intellectual functioning than controls with some subgroups at greater risk than others. Poorer metabolic control including both recurrent hypoglycemia and severe hyperglycemia, earlier age of disease onset, and longer disease duration are related to lower IQ scores. Lower academic achievement scores also are found, and a substantial proportion of children with diabetes have received special school services, especially those children from the higher risk groups. Neurodevelopmentally, boys rather than girls are at greater risk for learning problems, and gender effects are magnified with diabetes. Poorer metabolic control is consistently associated with lower SES groups, and boys from lower SES families have clinically lower IQ scores.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clarissa S. Holmes

Clarissa S. Holmes, PhD, is Professor of Psychology, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Holmes has been conducting research on the cognitive effects of diabetes for the past 20 years. She is a child clinical psychologist with a specialty in pediatric psychology.

Meredith A. Fox

Meredith A. Fox, MA, is a graduate student in psychology at the George Washington University.

M. Catherine Cant

M. Catherine Cant, BS, is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at George Washington University with a specialization in pediatric psychology. She is writing her dissertation on diabetes under the supervision of Dr. Holmes.

Naomi L. Lampert

Naomi L. Lampert, MA, is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology specializing in neuropsychology at the George Washington University. She is currently interning at the Georgetown University Child Development Center.

Tammy Greer

Tammy Greer, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi.