Attitudes of Parents and Children to Screening for the Risk of Developing Type 1 Diabetes. The ABIS General Population Study

Aims: Detection of children with high risk of getting type 1 diabetes may decrease the risk of keto-acidosis at onset but may have negative psychological consequences. The aim is to elucidate the views of parents and their children on screening of type 1 diabetes. Methods:As part of ABIS (All Babies in Southeast Sweden) 3228 parents from the general population, and 5851 children (50.3% girls) aged 10-12 years, answered questionnaires regarding their view on screening for risk of getting type 1 diabetes. Results:Only 52.7% wanted their child to be screened and still less agreed to screening when there is no preventive treatment available. Parents with high education were more negative to screening (p< 0.001). Although more positive than the general population (p= 0.002) still only 61.0 % of parents with type 1 diabetes in the family wanted their child to be screened. The children were more positive even without existing preventive treatment, girls more than boys (p<0.001). Parents did not expect the children to participate in the decision. Conclusion:A large proportion of parents to 10-13 years old children do not want children to be screened for T1D, especially as long as there is no good preventive treatment.