The success or failure of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) management in children depends not only on access to care, diabetes technologies and diabetes education, but also on the abilities of the patient and his/her family to carry out complex demands. Recent data show that family dynamics play a critical role in determining glycemic control in pediatric patients with T1D. The investigators prior work (Loomba-Albrecht and Glaser, unpublished data) suggests that the strongest determinants of glycemic control are factors related to the primary caregiver's involvement in supportive relationships with others, either a spouse or other family members. This provides a potential therapeutic target to improve outcomes for children with T1D.
