Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy for children and adolescents: an option for routine diabetes care

A K Maniatis1, G J Klingensmith, R H Slover

  • 1Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.

Pediatrics
|February 7, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy is a feasible option for pediatric diabetes care, effectively lowering HbA1c and reducing hypoglycemic episodes without significant BMI increase. This insulin pump approach offers benefits for select children managing diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Diabetes Management

Background:

  • Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), or insulin pump therapy, is an increasingly utilized method for diabetes management.
  • Assessing its feasibility and impact in routine pediatric care is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of CSII therapy in routine pediatric diabetes care.
  • To compare key clinical outcomes, including HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), and hypoglycemic episodes, before and after CSII initiation.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 56 pediatric patients (aged 7-23 years) using CSII therapy was analyzed.
  • Data on HbA1c, BMI, and hypoglycemic events were collected during regular clinic visits, mirroring the frequency for non-CSII patients.

Main Results:

  • The overall cohort showed a slight decrease in HbA1c from 8.5% to 8.3%.
  • A significant HbA1c reduction was observed in 39.4% of patients (from 8.6% to 7.6%), with 64.3% achieving HbA1c <8.0% or a 1% decrease.
  • Rates of severe hypoglycemia decreased from 12.3 to 9.5 events per 100 patient-years, and a greater proportion of patients reported decreased overall hypoglycemic frequency. No significant BMI increase was noted.

Conclusions:

  • CSII therapy is a viable and effective option for select children with diabetes in routine care settings.
  • The therapy can lead to improved glycemic control (HbA1c reduction) and fewer hypoglycemic episodes.
  • Importantly, CSII does not appear to cause a clinically significant increase in BMI among pediatric patients.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Intramuscular Transplantation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Pancreatic Endocrine Cells in Mice06:57

Intramuscular Transplantation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Pancreatic Endocrine Cells in Mice

Published on: April 10, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery01:27

Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery

Insulin preparations are categorized by their duration of action into short-acting and long-acting types. Two strategies are used to modify insulin's absorption and pharmacokinetic profile: slowing the absorption post-subcutaneous injection, or altering human insulin's amino acid sequence or protein structure. These changes retain the insulin's ability to bind to the insulin receptor, but alter its behavior in solution or after injection.
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy01:15

Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy

The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices01:28

Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices

Parenteral drug delivery systems play a crucial role in modern therapeutics by enabling the direct administration of drugs into the systemic circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. These systems are particularly valuable for poorly absorbed oral medications that are unstable in the digestive environment or require rapid onset or sustained therapeutic levels. Delivery is achieved through intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes, each selected based on the drug's properties...