16 Mar 2023 • As per the latest trial results published in NEJM today, artificial pancreas technology markedly improved blood glucose control in young children between ages 2 & 5 with T1 diabetes. The study, Pediatric Artificial Pancreas (PEDAP) Trial - a 13-week randomized controlled trial conducted at three pediatric diabetes centers across the United States, was supported by the National Institutes of Health, USA.

What are artificial pancreas? The artificial pancreas, also known as closed-loop control, is an “all-in-one” diabetes management system that tracks blood glucose levels using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and automatically delivers the insulin when needed using an insulin pump. The system replaces reliance on testing by fingerstick or CGM with delivery of insulin by multiple daily injections or a pump controlled by the patient or caregiver.

How did it help to improve blood glucose control in T1DM?

• The trial enrolled 102 participants between ages 2 and 5. The artificial pancreas group received training on how to use the study device — an insulin pump programmed with Control-IQ insulin dosing technology — and a CGM. The standard care group continued to use their pre-study method of blood glucose management and were trained to use the study CGM.
• During the 13 weeks, participants in the artificial pancreas group spent 12% more time — approximately three hours per day — within their target blood glucose range compared to the standard care group.
• The greatest difference in blood glucose control was seen at nighttime, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with artificial pancreas participants spending 18% more time in range than the standard care group. Nighttime control is especially challenging to maintain in children with type 1 diabetes.

Conclusion: In this trial involving young children with type 1 diabetes, the glucose level was in the target range for a greater percentage of time with a closed-loop system than with standard care.

Source: NIH | Read full story Read from NEJM