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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Subcutaneous tissue thickness in children with type 1 diabetes
1Department of Clinical Nursing, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea. hshin@ulsan.ac.kr
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|March 24, 2006
Summary
Subcutaneous tissue thickness varies in children with type 1 diabetes, especially in boys. Shorter needles and skin-folding techniques are recommended for insulin injections to ensure proper subcutaneous delivery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Diabetes Management
Background:
- Effective glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes relies heavily on subcutaneous insulin injections.
- Limited research exists on subcutaneous tissue thickness at common insulin injection sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure subcutaneous tissue thickness at key injection sites (outer arm, anterior thigh, abdomen) in children.
- To identify prevalent injection sites and methods used by pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous thickness was measured using a caliper in 65 children (aged 8-16).
- Injection sites and techniques were observed daily over four days.
- Data collection occurred at a 2002 diabetes camp.
Main Results:
- Median subcutaneous thicknesses varied by site and sex; boys generally had thinner tissue than girls.
- Abdominal subcutaneous tissue was <12.5 mm in 40% of participants.
- Anterior abdomen was the most common site for boys, anterior thigh for girls; perpendicular injections without skin-folding were frequent.
- Body Mass Index correlated significantly with subcutaneous tissue thickness.
Conclusions:
- Shorter needles (less than 12.5 mm) are advisable, particularly for boys, to avoid intramuscular insulin delivery.
- Employing skin-folding techniques may reduce the risk of inadvertent intramuscular injections.
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