| Managing type 1 is a tall order for many | | | | (Inhaled insulin, which acts rapidly but |
| kids. | | | | lasts as long as regular insulin, is pending |
| | | | approval for use in children; its effect on |
| "The whole system hinges on adherence at | | | | developing lung tissue still needs to be |
| every step: testing blood sugar, giving | | | | determined.) |
| shots, recording every little thing they | | | | |
| eat," explains Naomi Neufeld, M.D., clinical | | | | Endocrinologists are also investigating the |
| professor of pediatrics at the University of | | | | treatment of other diseases in the hopes of |
| California, Los Angeles. "But it doesn't | | | | finding applicable technologies. A new pen |
| always happen, especially when your kids | | | | for injecting growth hormones, for example, |
| aren't in your sight." | | | | records time and dose with an iPod-like |
| | | | device, says Dr. Neufeld, "and there's no |
| The good news is that several innovations are | | | | reason it couldn't be used for diabetes." |
| making it easier for kids-and their parents | | | | |
| or guardians-to keep careful control. | | | | Be receptive to changes in technology, say |
| | | | experts, and ask your doctor to keep you |
| Monitors | | | | up-to-date. The latest-and future-devices |
| | | | won't take patient responsibility out of the |
| Wireless blood-glucose meters using | | | | equation, but they will make your life and |
| cell-phone or BluetoothÂ(R) technology store | | | | your child's life easier. |
| readings and can transmit them to a computer | | | | |
| at home or at the doctor's. The physician can | | | | Source: Diabetes Care, November 2006. |
| view your child's blood sugar history on a | | | | |
| single screen, which makes it easier to spot | | | | Ask the Right Questions |
| trends and problems. | | | | |
| | | | Thinking of trying a new device? The American |
| Talk to your doctor about the right device | | | | Diabetes Association advises asking your |
| for your child. Some wireless monitors are | | | | doctor: |
| not FDA-approved for kids, and your insurance | | | | |
| may not cover them all. Some doctors also use | | | | What experiences have other patients had with |
| the continuous glucose monitor with kids, | | | | it? |
| even though it's not FDA-approved for use | | | | |
| with children. This device, which measures | | | | Have insurance companies covered the costs? |
| glucose levels in the tissue fluid under the | | | | |
| skin, isn't a substitute for the blood | | | | Are there benefits to a pump over injections? |
| glucose monitor. | | | | |
| | | | What's involved in going from injections to a |
| Insulin pumps | | | | pump? |
| | | | |
| These wearable pumps for continuous | | | | Is it clear how much insulin to use with a |
| administration of insulin can be a boon to | | | | pump? |
| kids. In one study from the Joslin Diabetes | | | | |
| Center in Boston, school-age children on | | | | If my child gets continuous insulin, how will |
| pumps monitored themselves more frequently, | | | | it affect what she eats and how she |
| needed less insulin daily and had better | | | | exercises? |
| blood sugar control than those using standard | | | | |
| injection therapy. Studies have found that | | | | What kind of training will my child and I |
| children as young as 18 months can use the | | | | receive? |
| portable pumps effectively. The pumps provide | | | | |
| a baseline level of insulin throughout the | | | | How often will blood sugars need to be |
| day and can be programmed to give | | | | checked? |
| rapid-acting insulin analogues before or | | | | |
| immediately after meals. Someone still has to | | | | Does it hurt? |
| enter the amount of insulin to administer, | | | | |
| and that depends on what the child is eating. | | | | The latest crop of diabetic devices offer |
| | | | exciting possibilities for glucose control |
| Combination monitor-pumps | | | | for children with type 1 diabetes-and adults, |
| | | | too. Find out which one is right your family. |
| "These devices are the most promising to | | | | |
| pediatric endocrinologists," says Dr. | | | | Writer: Molly Lyons |
| Neufeld. The pumps sense glucose and | | | | |
| automatically adjust insulin. The first model | | | | ©MDminute: Diabetes Issue 1, 2007 |
| may be available this year. | | | | |
| | | | Get a FREE 2-year subscription to the health |
| New ways to deliver insulin | | | | care magazine, REMEDY. REMEDY is an |
| | | | award-winning magazine published by MediZine, |
| For toddlers, rapid-acting insulins are | | | | LLC. that can help you and your family get |
| ideal. "At this age, you can't always predict | | | | healthy and stay healthy for life! Sign up |
| what they're going to eat," says Dr. Neufeld. | | | | today! |