Effect of a Multidomain Intervention on the Behaviour Problems and Cognition in children with Hypoglycemia Unawareness in Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus-A Pilot Study

The bigger study on the same topic with the WISC-4 Cognition assessment tool, more objectives, larger sample size and  2 year long study has been approved by CTRI (CTRI/2024/03/063628). This will be a pilot study on only 44 patients, using readily available cognition assessment tool (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination) and for a shorter duration of 6 months.

I would like to focus on Behavioral and Cognitive Functions in Children with Young Onset Diabetes Mellitus (predominantly Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus) with a special interest in those who have Hypoglycemia Unawareness or Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia. I would like to implement certain structured interventions which could be beneficial in preventing behavioral and cognitive decline in such children. If these interventions prove to be beneficial, we would implement screening for Hypoglycemia Unawareness, Behavioral Screening, and Cognitive Screening for all children with Young Onset Diabetes Mellitus and then provide them with tailored interventions in the form of Psychotherapy for Children and Parents, Diabetes Education and Dietary Interventions. All these interventions when given to children and their parents in a structured, regular, and balanced manner would reduce behavioral problems and cognitive decline.

The Govt. of India and ICMR have initiated steps to curb Type-1 Diabetes. It also established a registry in 2006 named the Young Diabetes Registry. The Govt. of Kerala has started the ‘MITTAYI’ program for early identification, comprehensive treatment and all necessary support for children and Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus. So, if our work proves to be beneficial, we can incorporate our early intervention strategies to tackle behavioral and cognitive problems in all such children, at the State level.