Kids Favor Pump over Injections

Investigators reported in Pediatrics (September 2003) that intensive insulin therapy is doable and safe for children with type 1 diabetes. A small study found that more children preferred treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), compared with multiple daily insulin (MDI) injections. In the study, 23 participants, who ranged in age from 8 to 14 years, were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 treatment methods. After receiving 1 treatment, the subjects were then switched to the other treatment.

Glucose control increased significantly between an initial educational session and the start of the 7-month trial. At the end of the study, glucose levels did not differ significantly between treatment arms. Total daily insulin dose decreased, however, during CSII therapy and increased during MDI injections, according to the study results.