Artificial Pancreas Helps Control Diabetes in Kids

The artificial pancreas, or closed-loop insulin delivery, may improve glycemic control in children with diabetes, even in those younger than 7-years-old, as the method saw significantly fewer patients spending time above 300 mg/dL at night compared with those using open-loop delivery. 

"We think kids under 7 are particularly amenable to closed-loop control, since they have unpredictable eating patterns, erratic activity levels, and higher rates of hypoglycemia and nocturnal hypoglycemia," researchers reported at the 72nd American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. 

The 2-day trial involved 10 patients, all younger than 7 years and with type 1 diabetes, who had been receiving pump therapy for at least 6 weeks.  Open- or closed-loop delivery was used overnight, with children switching methods the next night so that each child tried both methods. 

Researchers found that while the time spent in the target range of glucose overnight (150 mg/dL) wasn’t significantly different between the 2 methods, those using closed-loop delivery spent significantly less time above 300 mg/dL. 

"Closed-loop therapy has the potential to improve diabetes care for very young children," they concluded. "We believe this is an underrepresented group in this area of research."

-Michael Potts

MORE ON TYPE 1 DIABETES:

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents: Part 1, Overview and Diagnosis

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents: Part 2, Management