Purpose
This study examined the literature concerning the burdens of parents of preschool-aged children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Methods
We employed an integrative review methodology based on Whittemore and Knafl's framework. The literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, the Cumulative Index to Nursing Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO. Ultimately, 18 articles were included in the review.
Results
The review yielded four themes: (1) parental burdens, (2) factors related to the burdens, (3) coping strategies, and (4) implications for clinical practice. Parents experienced psychological, physical, and social burdens due to the diabetes care of their children. Several factors influenced burdens, including child-related characteristics such as age, severity of diabetes, and hospitalization experience, as well as parental factors like family income, race, and residential area. Parents initially felt burdened when their child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but over time, they often adapted to the situation through support and sharing of responsibilities. Parents desired education and interventions reflecting the unique characteristics of preschoolers.
Conclusion
This integrative literature review revealed that parents experience numerous burdens when their child is diagnosed with diabetes. Future research should focus on developing interventions to address parents' psychological difficulties, including tracking parental psychological changes over time. Tailored nursing interventions should also be provided to parents of preschool-aged children, as opposed to the more generic nursing interventions traditionally applied across all age groups of children in clinical settings.

Citations

• Distinguishing risk factors for depression and burnout in parents managing type 1 diabetes mellitus in children
  Sumbule Koksoy Vayisoglu, Ebru Koc, Emine Oncu
  Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2025; 80: 32.     CrossRef
• Factors affecting care burden and life satisfaction among parents of children with type 1 diabetes
  Tuğba Bilgehan, Ezgi Bağrıaçık, Münevver Sönmez
  Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2024; 77: e394.     CrossRef
• Preferences for Peer Support Amongst Families Engaged in Paediatric Screening Programmes: The Perspectives of Parents Involved in Screening for Type 1 Diabetes in Children Aged 3–13
  Ian Litchfield, Lauren M. Quinn, Felicity Boardman, Olga Boiko, Parth Narendran, Shivam Choundhary, Naga Setti, Veer Sheth, Sheila M. Greenfield
  Health Expectations.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
Developmental disabilities (DDs) are a global childhood problem whose prevalence is rising, with a disproportionate impact on individuals in low-and middle-income countries. However, data on the prevalence of DDs in the Arab world are limited. This review highlights what is currently known about the prevalence and risk factors of DDs in preschool children in the Arab world.
Methods
PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched for publications on DDs among preschool children in the Arab world. Only 14 studies were identified in the literature, from 12 Arab countries.
Results
The overall estimated prevalence of DDs among preschool children in the Arab world is 27.5%. An analysis of risk factors for DDs showed that child-related, maternal, and family-related factors account for a significant cumulative risk of developing DDs in preschool children. Maternal factors, such as antenatal and perinatal complications, were the most common risk factors.
Conclusion
The prevalence of DDs among preschoolers is significantly high in the Arab world, which emphasizes the importance of the early detection and diagnosis of DD, as well as its associated risk factors.

Citations

• Bedouin fathers of children with developmental disabilities—Stress, stigma and collaboration with professionals
  I. Manor-Binyamini
  Research in Developmental Disabilities.2025; 157: 104902.     CrossRef
• Prevalence of developmental disability among school-age children in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
  Mohammad E Tamboosi, Sara E Tamboosi, Abdulrahman M Bajaber, Aleyah A Himdi, Balsam A Alqaraf, Eyad N Baakdah, Raghad A Baakhdhar, Zyad M Hakami
  International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent.2025; 12(2): 91.     CrossRef
• The complex approach of risk factors in the emergence of developmental disorders in children of young age
  Victoria Cepraga, Elena Dolapciu, Dina Bujor, Olga Cirstea, Rodica Eremciuc, Rebeca Cataraga, Adela Horodisteanu-Banuh, Ninel Revenco
  Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. Me.2025; 80(3): 166.     CrossRef
• Assessment of idiopathic scoliosis among adolescents and associated factors in Palestine
  Omar H. Almahmoud, Baraa Baniodeh, Reem Musleh, Sanabel Asmar, Mohammed Zyada, Hadeel Qattousah
  Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2024; 74: 85.     CrossRef
• Developmental delay and its demographic and social predictors among preschool-age children in Palestine
  Omar H. Almahmoud, Lubna Abushaikha
  Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2024; 74: 101.     CrossRef
• Predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in Saudi Arabia: An observational study
  Mohammed S. Alghamdi, Abdulaziz Awali
  Medicine.2024; 103(32): e39206.     CrossRef
• Comprehensive evaluation of the child with global developmental delays or intellectual disability
  Abdullah Nasser Aldosari, T. Saeed Aldosari
  Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2024; 67(9): 435.     CrossRef