Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Anales de pediatría (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 21 - 27
• Main Authors: Colino Alcol, E, López Capapé, M, Alvarez Gómez, María A, Alonso Blanco, M, Martín Frías, M, Barrio Castellanos, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - therapy; Female; Humans; Insulin Infusion Systems; Male; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1695-4033

To determine the efficacy and safety of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in a group of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Data from 17 patients were collected during the first year of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion treatment. All patients were followed-up at our diabetic pediatric clinic. HbA1c, body mass index, insulin dose, severe hypoglycemic episodes, and diabetic ketoacidosis events before and after initiation of pump therapy were compared.
The mean age was 14.02 +/- 3.70 years and the mean diabetes duration was 5.81 +/- 3.31 years. HbA1c decreased from 8.12 +/- 1.46 to 7.52 +/- 0.87 % after 2 months of therapy and this decrease was maintained throughout the first year of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion treatment. Insulin dose decreased from 0.99 +/- 0.24 to 0.84 +/- 0.18 U/kg/day after 1 year of treatment. Body mass index remained unchanged. There were fewer severe hypoglycemic events after the start of insulin pump therapy (0.47 +/- 1.23 events/patient in the 6 months before continuous insulin infusion, 0.29 +/- 1.20 episodes in the first 6 months of insulin pump therapy and 0.06 +/- 0.24 in the period from 6 to 12 months of the treatment). There were 3 ketoacidosis episodes, all in the same patient.
Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion is a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. It improves metabolic control and decreases the number of severe hypoglycemic episodes.