Diabetes treatment for children expanded
Monday, 01 Sep 2008 08:48
Up to 20,000 children to benefit from expanded diabetes treatment
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Up to 20,000 children suffering from type one diabetes are set to benefit from a potentially life-changing way to manage their condition.
New guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has recommended greater access to insulin pump therapy, particularly amongst children and young people.
Britain is lagging behind other major countries in terms of diabetes management as only one in 1,000 use an insulin pump in this country compared to one in seven German sufferers and one in eight from the United States.
As part of a recent study into the quality of life benefits of the pumps, British children reported reduced interruption in their school day, such as not having to miss lesson time to attend the medical room to administer their injections.
They also said that they felt a greater freedom and felt less 'controlled' by their diabetes.
Other benefits of replacing injections with insulin pump therapy include children having fewer hypoglycaemic episodes, the opportunity to participate in sports without having to plan ahead and the freedom for the patient to eat whatever and whenever they want.
Dr Katharine Barnard PhD from the School of Psychology at the University of Southampton, who conducted the research, commented: "The widening of Nice guidance is great news, particularly for children with type one diabetes and their parents as it could mean children gain greater access to the therapy.
"Evidence shows that in addition to the medical benefits, there are significant psychosocial benefits associated with insulin pump therapy, including improved quality of life.
"Research shows that pumps can have a positive impact on school life, as young people often become more comfortable at an earlier age with administering their own insulin according to their food intake and blood glucose levels."