Treatment of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents

✍ Scribed by Jean-Claude Desmangles

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 84 KB
• Volume: 69
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0272-4391
• DOI: 10.1002/ddr.20241

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Despite the recent advances in treatment and technology, intensive insulin therapy for treatment of type 1 diabetes remains a challenge in children due to developmental issues, wide glycemic fluctuations and unpredictable eating and activity patterns. Many children with diabetes nowadays use a basal‐bolus regimen by means of either multiple daily injections or CSII in an attempt to mimic closely the physiological insulin and serum glucose profiles in order to achieve optimal glycemic control. This article reviews the different regimens employed to treat type 1 diabetes in children, using short‐ and intermediate‐acting insulins, newer insulin analogues, as well as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). With the ongoing development of new technologies allowing better monitoring of blood glucose and insulin delivery, it is hoped that in the near future a “closed loop system” will help in achieving normal glycemic control while minimizing side effects related to administration of exogenous insulin. Drug Dev Res 69:158–164, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.