Sustained metabolic control and low rates of severe hypoglycaemic episodes in preschool diabetic children treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in children under 7 years of age.

Methods: One hundred and ten children, aged 0.9-7 years, who had received CSII therapy for at least 6 months, were studied for 237 patient-years by a retrospective chart review. Charts were reviewed for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), severe hypoglycaemia (SH), ketoacidosis (DKA), height, weight and insulin requirement. In 69 cases (children aged 1.6-7 years) CSII was administered after at least 3 months of insulin therapy with pens. In this group, data from the year from before CSII administration were compared with values recorded during 1 year of CSII treatment.

Results: Mean HbA1c decreased from 7.8 +/- 0.9 before CSII to 7.5 +/- 1.0 after 6 and 12 months of pump therapy (p = 0.04). In the whole group, the mean HbA1c after 6 months of CSII was 7.5 +/- 1.0 and remained unchanged for up to 4 years of follow-up. Some episodes of SH--4.2 per 100 patient-years, and DKA--5.7 per 100 patient-years were recorded. No increase in BMI z-score occurred.

Conclusions: In the youngest children, CSII therapy lowers HbA1c values and provides sustained metabolic control without increases in hypoglycaemia or ketoacidosis episodes.