Nonverbal intelligence and scholastic performance in children with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

This study examined nonverbal intelligence and scholastic achievement in children with type 1 diabetes. In a retrospective case-control study, 69 children (35 males) ages 5-10 years with type 1 diabetes and 69 healthy controls matched to patients by age, gender and socioeconomic status were compared according to their performance on Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices and their scholastic grades. No differences in nonverbal intelligence and grades were observed between children with type 1 diabetes and healthy control subjects. Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices scores inversely correlated with duration of illness both in children with early onset of type 1 diabetes and poor metabolic control. Possible explanations of the results and implications are discussed.

Keywords: Children; early onset; metabolic control; nonverbal intelligence; scholastic achievement; type 1 diabetes.