Behaviour problems in children with diabetes as a function of sex and age of onset of disease.

Twenty-seven children with early onset (less than or equal to 3 years) diabetes (EOD), 24 with late onset (greater than or equal to 4 years) diabetes (LOD) and 30 sibling controls were compared on measures of psychosocial adjustment. These included parent rating scales of behaviour problems and temperament; direct measures of self-esteem, body image and school achievement; and indices of diabetic control. Results indicated that LOD boys showed increased incidence of behaviour problems, 83% of whom could be assigned a diagnostic classification and more distortions of body image. The results were not related to any indices of diabetic control.