An artificial pancreatic system that can automatically control and regulate blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetic children as young as 6 has been found safe and effective, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The artificial pancreas, which the researchers also refer to as “closed control”, is described as an “all-in-one” management system for diabetes, according to a press release provided to Fox News. The system relies on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to monitor blood glucose levels and automatically deliver insulin through a pump, the news release said.
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This means that the diabetic child does not have to rely on fingerprints, injections or a patient or caregiver controlled pump, the release stated.
The clinical trial included four pediatric facilities, including one at Barbara Davis’ Center for Childhood Diabetes at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. The research teams studied 101 children between the ages of 6 and 13 over a four-month course. Participants were assigned to a group that used the artificial pancreatic system as a control group that used the standard CGM with a separate insulin pump. All participants were told to go about their daily routines throughout their student days, the release stated.
“/> In addition, the study showed that the artificial pancreatic group spent 2.6 more hours per day in their recommended blood glucose range. (iStock)
The researchers found children in the artificial pancreatic group had a 7% improvement in blood sugar levels during the day and a 26% improvement at night compared to those who did not use the system. Monitoring blood glucose levels at night is important, the release indicated, as uncontrolled hypoglycemic levels, if serious, can lead to seizures, coma and possibly death.
In addition, the study showed that the artificial pancreatic group spent 2.6 more hours per day in their recommended blood glucose range.
“The improvement in blood glucose control in this study was impressive, especially at night, allowing parents and caregivers to sleep better at night knowing that their children are safer,” said Dr. R. Paul Wadwa, professor of pediatrics at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Illness at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, said in the news release.
“Artificial pancreatic technology can mean less often that children and their families have to stop everything to take care of their diabetes. Instead, children can focus on children, “he added.
The trial was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) together with Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.
If we continue to search for a cure for type 1 diabetes, creating artificial pancreatic technology that is safe and effective, like the technology used in this study, is available to children with Type1 diabetes. an important step in improving the quality of life and disease management in these youth, “said NIDDK director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers in release.
Sixteen adverse events were noted in the artificial pancreatic group, according to the report. However, the events were classified as minor and were attributed to the pump. The researchers found that no diabetic ketoacidosis occurred when serious hypoglycemic events occurred.
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“We are entering an exciting time when the long-awaited era of an ‘artificial pancreas’ becomes a reality. This study shows that in fairly young children, ages 6 to 13, a ‘closed’ insulin sensor and pumping blood glucose levels into a healthy range could be significantly better than one of the best currently available insulin pump / sensor systems, “a spokesman for the American Diabetes Association told Fox News in an email.” This is great news for both kids and adults who want it focus on their daily lives and safely spend less time on their diabetes management. “
Tandem Diabetes Care has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use of the Control IQ system in children as young as 6 years old.
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