Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and its management often requires meticulous attention to blood glucose levels. Closed-loop control systems of insulin delivery, also known as artificial pancreas systems, have emerged as a promising technology that can help automate insulin dosing and improve glycemic outcomes. While previous studies have shown the benefits of closed-loop systems in adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, the efficacy and safety of these systems in young children are still unclear.
In a groundbreaking study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers have found that closed-loop control systems of insulin delivery may improve glycemic outcomes in young children with type 1 diabetes. The study, which lasted for 13 weeks, was a multicenter trial that involved children who were at least 2 years of age but younger than 6 years of age and had type 1 diabetes.
The study randomly assigned the children in a 2:1 ratio to receive treatment with a closed-loop system of insulin delivery or standard care that included either an insulin pump or multiple daily injections of insulin plus a continuous glucose monitor. The primary outcome of the study was the percentage of time that the glucose level was in the target range of 70 to 180 mg per deciliter, as measured by continuous glucose monitoring.
It was also found that the closed-loop system of insulin delivery was significantly more effective in keeping glucose levels within the target range compared to standard care. The children who received the closed-loop system spent an average of 73.5% of their time in the target range, while the children who received standard care spent only 53.4% of their time in the target range.
A recent clinical trial has found that closed-loop control systems of insulin delivery can significantly improve glycemic outcomes in young children with type 1 diabetes. The study involved 102 children between the ages of 2 and 6 who had type 1 diabetes, with 68 children randomly assigned to the closed-loop group and 34 children to the standard-care group.
The trial, which lasted for 13 weeks, measured the percentage of time that the glucose level was within the target range of 70 to 180 mg per deciliter using continuous glucose monitoring. The study found that the closed-loop system was significantly more effective than the standard care in keeping glucose levels within the target range, with the closed-loop group spending an average of 69.3% of their time within the target range compared to only 55.9% in the standard-care group.
The glycated hemoglobin level, which is a measure of long-term blood sugar control, was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the closed-loop system was found to be safe and well-tolerated by the children in the study. One of the unique aspects of the study is that it tested the efficacy and safety of initiating a closed-loop system virtually. This is significant because it suggests that remote management of closed-loop systems may be a feasible option for families who do not have easy access to in-person medical care.
Overall, the study provides strong evidence that closed-loop control systems of insulin delivery can significantly improve glycemic outcomes in young children with type 1 diabetes. The findings have important implications for the management of this chronic condition and offer hope for improving the quality of life for children living with type 1 diabetes.
