Prevalence and characterization by latent class analysis of children with parental type 2-diabetes

Aims

Children of parents with type 2-diabetes have a fourfold risk of developing the condition. Family-based interventions can mitigate the risk, but identifying which families benefit is challenging. This study describes the prevalence and characteristics of children with parental type 2-diabetes to improve targeting. 

Methods

This cross-sectional study uses data from Danish national registers. Latent class analysis classified families based on demographic, socioeconomic, and health factors. 

Results

We included 1,136,988 children and their parents. 40,442 children had a parent with type 2-diabetes. Children with parental type 2-diabetes were older, had more socioeconomic risk factors, and higher psychiatric healthcare usage. The parents had higher health service usage. 

We identified four latent classes in ages 0–2, 3–5, 6–11 years, and a fifth class for ages 12–17. “Class 1: Multiple risk factors”, “Class 2: Advanced paternal age”, “Class 3: High maternal and child healthcare use”, “Class 4: Few risk factors”, and “Class 5: High paternal healthcare use.” Class 1 had the highest prevalence of parental type 2-diabetes, and Class 4 had the lowest prevalence. 

Conclusion

This study identifies five classes of families with varying prevalence of parental type 2-diabetes. It adds to our understanding of subgroups and may help target family-oriented interventions.