Use of an artificial pancreas at diabetes camps

摘要

Attempts to improve blood glucose control in type 1 diabetes have led to the use of technology such as insulin pumps and glucose sensors, or both (sensor augmented pump) but they have not eliminated the risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia. It has been estimated that three quarters of hypoglycaemic seizures in children occur during the night. Fully automated artificial pancreas systems use computer controlled algorithms to link glucose sensors with insulin pumps to control insulin delivery. Such devices have improved blood glucose control in hospital trials and have reduced the risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia. New researchers in Israel, Slovenia and Germany (Moshe Phillips and colleagues. New England Journal of Medicine 2013;368:824-33) have used the artificial pancreas system at a youth diabetes camp in each of these countries.