This is a multi-centre, prospective, randomized, open-label controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a flexible digital insulin dose calculator in children under 12 years of age with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) managed with multiple daily injections (MDI). Participants will be stratified by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use and baseline HbA1c, and randomised to receive either standard care alone or standard care plus the insulin dose calculator tool for 6 months. The primary outcome is the change in HbA1c from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes include CGM-derived glycaemic metrics (Time in Range, Time Below Range, Time Above Range, and Coefficient of Variation), total daily insulin dose (units/kg/day), healthcare provider contact frequency, and caregiver-reported usability and satisfaction. The study aims to determine whether the use of a structured digital decision-support tool improves glycaemic control and supports safer insulin dosing in paediatric patients with T1DM.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in children requires intensive insulin therapy and frequent dose adjustments based on carbohydrate intake, glucose levels, and individualised insulin parameters. Although carbohydrate counting is widely practised in paediatric diabetes management, translating these principles into accurate insulin dosing remains complex. Caregivers must integrate insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, correction factors, pre-meal glucose values, and -when applicable- continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) trend information. This process is prone to calculation errors and variability, which may contribute to suboptimal glycaemic outcomes. While advanced technologies such as insulin pumps and hybrid closed-loop systems can automate insulin delivery, many children worldwide continue to use multiple daily injections (MDI). For this population, structured digital decision-support tools may help standardise insulin dose calculations and reduce caregiver burden. However, high-quality prospective evidence evaluating such tools in paediatric MDI users remains limited. This study is a multi-centre, prospective, randomised, open-label controlled trial evaluating the clinical impact of a flexible digital insulin dose calculator in children under 12 years of age with established T1DM managed with MDI and carbohydrate counting. Participants will be stratified according to CGM use and baseline glycaemic control, then randomised to either standard care alone or standard care plus access to the insulin dose calculator for a 6-month period. The intervention consists of structured training in the use of the digital calculator, which integrates individualised insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, correction factors, and glucose inputs to generate dosing recommendations. The study will assess whether integration of this tool into routine care improves overall glycaemic control and glycaemic stability compared with standard practice alone. In addition, the study will explore effects on insulin titration patterns, healthcare utilisation, and caregiver experience. The trial is designed to reflect real-world paediatric diabetes practice across multiple international sites. Data will be collected during routine clinical encounters over a 6-month follow-up period. The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness, feasibility, and scalability of a non-invasive digital decision-support intervention aimed at improving insulin dosing accuracy and supporting families managing paediatric T1DM.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
440
The flexible digital insulin dose calculator is a structured decision-support tool designed specifically for children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus managed with multiple daily injections and carbohydrate counting. Unlike basic insulin calculation applications that consider limited variables, this tool integrates individualised insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, correction factors (insulin sensitivity), pre-meal glucose values, and glucose trends (when available) to generate dosing recommendations. The tool is non-automated and does not deliver insulin; it supports caregiver decision-making. It is intended for real-world clinical use and is implemented alongside routine diabetes care with standardised training at baseline. The intervention focuses on improving dosing accuracy and consistency rather than replacing clinician oversight or insulin therapy.
University of Mosul
Mosul, Iraq
RECRUITINGUniversity Child Hospital
Lahore, Pakistan
RECRUITINGChange in HbA1c from Baseline to 6 Months
The primary outcome is the difference in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between baseline and 6 months. HbA1c will be measured as part of routine clinical care and analysed to compare changes between the intervention (digital insulin dose calculator plus standard care) and control (standard care alone) groups.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 Months
Change in Time in Range (TIR)
For participants using CGM, change in the percentage of time glucose is within 70-180 mg/dL (4-10 mmol/L) based on CGM reports.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 Months, and 6 Months
Change in Time Below Range (TBR)
For participants using CGM, change in the percentage of time glucose is \<70 mg/dL (\<4 mmol/L) based on CGM reports.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 Months, and 6 Months
Change in Time Above Range (TAR)
For participants using CGM, change in the percentage of time glucose is \>180 mg/dL (\>10 mmol/L) based on CGM reports.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 Months, and 6 Months
Change in Glucose Coefficient of Variation (CV)
For participants using CGM, change in glucose coefficient of variation (CV, %) derived from CGM reports as a measure of glycaemic variability.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 Months, and 6 Months
Change in Total Daily Insulin Dose (units/kg/day)
Change in total daily insulin dose normalized to body weight (units/kg/day), calculated from clinical records at each assessment time point
Time frame: Baseline, 3 Months, and 6 Months
Healthcare provider contact frequency during study follow-up
Number of diabetes-related healthcare provider contacts (e.g., clinic, telemedicine, phone consultations) recorded over the study period and/or between visits
Time frame: Baseline to 6 Months (assessed at 3 and 6 Months)
Caregiver diabetes distress
Caregiver burden assessed using validated Diabetes Distress Scale instruments, comparing scores over follow-up. PARENT DIABETES DISTRESS SCALE (PARENT-DDS) questionnaire will be used. A mean item score or 0 - 1.9 should be considered "little or no distress," a mean item score between 2.0 - 2.9 should be considered 'moderate distress,' and a mean item score \> 3.0 should be considered 'high distress.'
Time frame: Baseline and 6 Months
Caregiver usability and satisfaction with the insulin dose calculator
Structured caregiver questionnaire assessing usability, satisfaction, and perceived value of the digital tool (intervention arm only). System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire will be used, which produces a score from 0 to 100 (not a percentage). The higher score indicates better usability. Below 50 means poor usability and \>75 = Acceptable for clinical deployment.
Time frame: 3 Months and 6 Months
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