Insulin pump vs. multiple daily injections for diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetic children

Administration of insulin pumps may improve glycemic control, aiding future research and clinical practice amid diabetes technological advancements, potentially reducing complications.

This retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of insulin pump (continuous insulin infusion) therapy compared to multiple daily injections (MDI) in managing blood sugar levels and reducing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes.

This study spanning 24 months was conducted at a diabetic center in Saudi Arabia, focusing on 351 children aged 1 to 14 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Out of total diabetic children, 316 (90%) were on MDI and 35 (10%) on continuous insulin infusion (CII).After 6 months, 38 out of the children (12%) following the MDI schedule for diabetes experienced DKA, while 4 children (11.4%) on the CII schedule encountered the same, but was not statistically noteworthy. The haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were notably higher (on average) in diabetic patients using MDI at 6 and 9 months of monitoring, Table 1:

Children on MDI had higher HbA1c levels than those on CSII, with no significant difference in DKA rates. Longer follow-up is recommended for more precise results.