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Benefits and Challenges of Current Closed-Loop Technologies in Children and Young People With Type 1 Diabetes.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Fuchs, Julia 

Abstract

Recent advances in diabetes technology have led to the development of closed-loop insulin delivery systems for the management of type 1 diabetes. Several such systems are now commercially available for children and young people. While all available systems have been shown to improve glycaemic control and quality of life in this population, qualitative data also highlights the challenges in using closed-loop systems, which vary among different pediatric age-groups. Very young children require systems that are able to cope with low insulin doses and significant glycaemic variability due to their high insulin sensitivity and unpredictable eating and exercise patterns. Adolescents' compliance is often related to size and number of devices, usability of the systems, need for calibrations, and their ability to interact with the system. Given the speed of innovations, understanding the capabilities and key similarities and differences of current systems can be challenging for healthcare professionals, caregivers and young people with type 1 diabetes alike. The aim of this review is to summarize the key evidence on currently available closed-loop systems for children and young people with type 1 diabetes, as well as commenting on user experience, where real-world data are available. We present findings on a system-basis, as well as identifying specific challenges in different pediatric age-groups and commenting on how current systems might address these. Finally, we identify areas for future research with regards to closed-loop technology tailored for pediatric use and how these might inform reimbursement and alleviate disease burden.

Description

Keywords

artificial pancreas (AP), children, closed-loop insulin delivery, diabetes technology, type 1 diabetes (or diabetes), young people

Journal Title

Front Pediatr

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2296-2360
2296-2360

Volume Title

9

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA
Sponsorship
Department of Health (via National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)) (EME 14/23/09)
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Societal Challenges (731560)
Wellcome Trust (100574/B/12/Z)
Helmsley Charitable Trust (#2016PG-T1D046)
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (146281)
Wellcome Trust (100574/Z/12/Z)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (UC4DK108520)
NIHR Evaluation Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (14/23/09)