Exploration of glycaemic states in children with type 1 diabetes

The prevention of severe hypoglycaemia is based in art on accurately anticipating its occurrence. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of a feedback procedure on the glycaemic state of children with type 1 diabetes, aswell as the associated symptoms and estimated BGL.

For 7 days, 17 participants performed both scheduled capillary blood tests, and an estimate and self-analysis whenever they thought that there were changes in their BGL.

A total of 454 trials were analysed with a mean of 178 mg/dl (SD= 36.4). Only 5.1% of the estimates corresponded to hypoglycaemia states, 36.77% were in areas with clinically dangerous consequences and were more accurate when the BGL reached the levels of <= 56 mg/dl and less accurate when it reached >240 mg/dl. The children reported symptoms at random, made mistakes when linking them with the BGL and demanded opportunity feedback believing they were in state of hypoglycaemia, while being in hyperglycaemia.

The BGL was highly variable, certain glycaemic profiles peaked, with a greater average of hypoglycaemia than in the children’s usual daily surroundings and did not present a profile of reliable signs indicative of BGL. The tendency to underestimate values when glycaemia was in hyperglycaemic levels is confirmed.