Feasibility of Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Detect Glycemic Abnormalities in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is linked to worsening pulmonary function and increased mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of this correlation, early recognition of CFRD is important. Current recommendations for detecting glucose abnormalities using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) can be difficult to achieve in a busy clinical setting.

We trialed a 10-day continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (Dexcom G6Pro) session in patients seen in our pediatric CF clinic that could not do an OGTT (reasons include emesis with OGTT or fear of needles) or that had an abnormal OGTT (to gather additional data to make treatment decisions).

Of the 36 sensors placed, 34 (94%) were returned. Devices were worn for a median of 10 days (range 4-10 days). Of the 34 CGMs returned, 20 (59%) met the criterion for referral to a pediatric endocrinologist.

CGM placement is feasible in a busy CF clinic to detect glucose abnormalities in children.