Nursing Interventions for Pediatrics with Type 1 Diabetes and Their Families: A Systematic Review

Fereshteh  Ghaljaei; Mojtaba  Lotfi; Mehrnaz  Nazari Rad; Mahnaz  Ghaljeh; Jalal  Nourmohammadi

doi:10.18502/ijdl.v25i5.20337

Fereshteh Ghaljaei Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
Mojtaba Lotfi Clinical Research Development Unit, Akbar Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mehrnaz Nazari Rad Clinical Research Development Unit, Akbar Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mahnaz Ghaljeh Department of Nursing Management, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran
Jalal Nourmohammadi Student Research Committee, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdl.v25i5.20337

Keywords: Nursing Interventions, Type 1 diabetes, Child, Family

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes affecting children and adolescents. Nursing interventions for children with type 1 diabetes include recognizing the adolescent's problems and providing technical care and emotional support. Nurses play an important role in helping adolescents and their families manage emotions, adjust treatment regimens, and integrate new routines into daily life. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and analyze effective nursing interventions in the management of type 1 diabetes in children and support their families. This study, by reviewing the available evidence, attempts to explain the role of nurses in improving clinical, psychological, and behavioral outcomes in children and promoting awareness, self-care skills, and quality of life in families.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, SID and Magiran between 2010 and 2025. The search strategy was created using the PubMed keywords (Nursing Interventions) [title/abstract], (Type 1 Diabetes), (Child) and (Family). Systematic search with English keywords: ((Nursing Interventions[title/abstract]) AND (Type 1 Diabetes [title/abstract])) AND (Child[title/abstract])) AND (Family[title/abstract]). Out of 500 studies on nursing interventions in pediatric type 1 diabetes with more detailed review, a total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis.

Results: The findings showed that nursing interventions can have a significant impact on diabetes management by children and families, leading to improved adherence to treatment regimens, better blood sugar control, and increased quality of life for children and families.

Conclusion: Nursing interventions play a significant role in improving blood sugar control, increasing awareness and self-care of children with type 1 diabetes, and supporting their families. Interventions such as patient and family education, psychological counseling, regular follow-up, use of educational and care-oriented technologies, and team collaboration have been able to provide favorable results in reducing disease complications, improving quality of life, and increasing psychosocial adjustment. Accordingly, the development and implementation of evidence-based intervention programs, taking into account the individual, cultural, and social characteristics of families, is recommended to improve nursing care in children with diabetes.