Parental estimation of their child's increased type 1 diabetes risk during the first 2 years of participation in an international observational study : Results from the TEDDY study

• This study assessed mothers' and fathers' perception of their child's risk of getting type I diabetes (TID) during the first 2 years of their participation in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. TEDDY parents were informed of their child's increased genetic risk for Tl D at study inception. Parent perception of the child's risk was assessed at 3, 6, 15, and 27 months of age. In families with no history of TID, underestimation of the child's TID risk was common in mothers (>38%) and more so in fathers (>50%). The analyses indicated that parental education, country of residence, family history of TID, household crowding, ethnic minority status, and beliefs that the child's TID risk can be reduced were factors associated with parental risk perception accuracy. Even when given extensive information about their child's TID risk, parents often fail to accurately grasp the information provided. This is particularly true for fathers, families from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with no family history of Tl D. It is important to develop improved tools for risk communication tailored to individual family needs.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Children

Informed consent

Risk perception

Screening

Type i diabetes

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)