Insulin Pumps in Children Show Little Improvement after 2 Years

Children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus showed sustained improvements in parent-reported behavior, but not in self reports of behavior or in metabolic control 2 years after commencement of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (n=27, 8-18years old) who had been assessed previously prior to commencing continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, and 6-8weeks later, were re-evaluated 2 years after commencing insulin pump therapy. Behavior was reassessed using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children 2nd edition (BASC-2) and current HbA1c levels were recorded. Two years after commencing continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms were significantly lower than pre-insulin pump therapy commencement levels. Self reports of internalizing and externalizing problems did not differ significantly across the three assessment points. There was no significant difference between pre-insulin pump therapy HbA1c and HbA1c after 2 years on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, despite an initial improvement 6-8 weeks after commencing the therapy. Diabetic Medicine, Knight SJ et al, Aug 8, 2011