Closing the Loop in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Overview

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing worldwide with evidence of most rapid increase in preschool children. Intensive control of blood glucose levels, although essential to protect against onset and progression of diabetes-related complications, faces unique challenges in toddlers and preschool children. A closed-loop system can enhance accuracy of insulin delivery and help people with T1D attain a tight glucose control avoiding the risk of hypoglycaemia. The main components of the system are a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump and a computer-based 'model predictive algorithm', which calculates the amount of insulin to be given by the insulin pump according to the CGM values. In the studies performed thus far the efficacy and safety of closed-loop glucose control were evaluated in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. The results showed that closed-loop improved control of blood glucose and prevented nocturnal hypoglycaemia, as compared to the conventional insulin pump therapy. The objective of the current study is to extend the evaluation of closed-loop further to younger children aged 2 to 6 years, who may gain a great benefit from this novel therapy. The present study adopts an open-label, randomised, 2 period cross-over design whereby closed-loop insulin therapy using diluted insulin (20IU/ml)will be compared with closed-loop with standard insulin (100IU/ml)in 12 young children with T1D. Participants aged 2 to 6 years will be randomised for two overnight studies in a clinical research facility, during which glucose levels will be controlled by either the computer-based closed-loop algorithm using diluted insulin or by closed-loop with standard insulin. On both occasions, participants will receive a self-selected evening meal and closed-loop will run from 17:00 until 08:00am the following day. The study will take place at the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Cambridge with participants recruited from paediatric diabetes clinics in England.