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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Previous research has documented racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes treatments and outcomes. It remains controversial whether these disparities result from differences in socioeconomic status (SES) or other factors. We examined racial/ethnic disparities in therapeutic modalities and diabetes outcomes among the large number of pediatric participants in the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry.METHODS:The cohort included 10 704 participants aged RESULTS:Insulin pump use was higher in white participants than in black or Hispanic participants (61% vs 26% and 39%, respectively) after adjusting for gender, age, diabetes duration, and SES (P < .001). Mean hemoglobin A1c was higher (adjusted P < .001) in black participants than in white or Hispanic participants (9.6%, 8.4%, and 8.7%). More black participants experienced diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemic events in the previous year than white or Hispanic participants (both, P < .001). There were no significant differences in hemoglobin A1c, diabetic ketoacidosis, or severe hypoglycemia between white and Hispanic participants after adjustment for SES.CONCLUSIONS:Even after SES adjustment, marked disparities in insulin treatment method and treatment outcomes existed between black versus Hispanic and white children within this large pediatric cohort. Barriers to insulin pump use and optimal glycemic control beyond SES should be explored in all ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to determine the prevalence and predictors of diabetic ketoacidosis at the diagnosis of diabetes in a large sample of youth from the US population. PATIENTS AND METHODS. The Search for Diabetes in Youth Study, a multicenter, population-based registry of diabetes with diagnosis before 20 years of age, identified 3666 patients with new onset of diabetes in the study areas in 2002–2004. Medical charts were reviewed in 2824 (77%) of the patients in a standard manner to abstract the results of laboratory tests and to ascertain diabetic ketoacidosis at the time of diagnosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis was defined by blood bicarbonate RESULTS. More than half (54%) of the patients were hospitalized at diagnosis, including 93% of those with diabetic ketoacidosis and 41% without diabetic ketoacidosis. The prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at the diagnosis was 25.5%. The prevalence decreased with age from 37.3% in children aged 0 to 4 years to 14.7% in those aged 15 to 19 years. Diabetic ketoacidosis prevalence was significantly higher in patients with type 1 (29.4%) rather than in those with type 2 diabetes (9.7%). After adjusting for the effects of center, age, gender, race or ethnicity, diabetes type, and family history of diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis was associated with lower family income, less desirable health insurance coverage, and lower parental education. CONCLUSION. At the time of diagnosis, 1 in 4 youth presents with diabetic ketoacidosis. Those with diabetic ketoacidosis were more likely to be hospitalized. Diabetic ketoacidosis was a presenting feature of

It is not known whether early immunosuppresive treatment can preserve long-term endogenous insulin secretion in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study, clinical remissions during the first year and C-peptide production for 3 years were followed after 43 subjects with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to a cyclosporine A treatment group for 4 months or to a control group. Of the six cyclosporine A-treated subjects who had remissions, five were 19 years of age or younger, compared with two of the four in the control group. C-peptide production was present in 98% of all subjects after 4 months, in 88% after 1 year, and in 43% after 3 years. There were no significant differences in numbers of subjects with C-peptide production or in mean hemoglobin A1 levels, between cyclosporine A-treated and control subjects after 3 years. Cyclosporine A treatment of subjects with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus for a period of 4 months does not have the ability to preserve residual β-cell function.

Objective. To identify possible causes of suboptimal glycemic control (ascertained by hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] level) in youths using insulin pump therapy. Methods. Forty-eight youths who were receiving insulin pump therapy for ≥6 months, and who were using insulin pumps and blood glucose meters with data that could be downloaded at our facility, are included in this cross-sectional study. Possible causes of suboptimal glycemic control were evaluated by using 4 information sources: 1) insulin pump data downloads; 2) glucose meter data downloads; 3) patient/family questionnaire about insulin bolusing habits, eating habits, exercise, and blood glucose testing habits; and 4) a physician questionnaire. Physicians completed the questionnaire during the patient interview after reviewing the downloaded information and discussing these results with the patient/family. Results. The mean (± standard deviation) age of participants was 15.3 (±3.0) years (range: 7–20 years), and the mean (± standard deviation) duration of type 1 diabetes and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was 8.2 (±4.0) and 1.9 (±1.0) years, respectively. Patients who missed Conclusion. Missed mealtime insulin boluses seem to be the major cause of suboptimal glycemic control in youths with diabetes receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy.

Objective. To determine whether use of the GlucoWatch biographer improves glucose control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods. Forty children in poor glucose control (glycohemoglobin [HbA1c] >8%) were randomized to diabetes management with or without glucose monitoring using the biographer. Conventional glucose monitoring was performed 4 times daily in both groups. Those randomized to the biographer group were asked to wear the device 4 times per week for 3 months (intervention phase) and to perform blood glucose monitoring if the biographer alerted them that glucose was ≤70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) or ≥300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L). After 3 months, all patients received biographers and were followed for 6 months (observation phase). HbA1c values were determined at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. Results. The median HbA1c was 8.6% and 8.9% (control versus biographer) at baseline and was significantly lower in the biographer group after 3 months (8.4% vs 9%). More hypoglycemia was detected when subjects were wearing the biographer, especially at night. No severe hypoglycemia occurred. During the observation phase, HbA1c values at 6 months were 8.5% and 8.3% and at 9 months were 8.6% and 8.4% in the control and biographer groups, respectively. Two children dropped out of the study, 1 because of skin irritation from using the device. Conclusions. The GlucoWatch biographer was well tolerated by children and adolescents and significantly improved glucose control compared with standard therapy. The use of the biographer with an alarm to detect nocturnal hypoglycemia has the potential to increase the safety of diabetes management in children.

Purpose. To determine whether the use of continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring will help in detecting unrecognized nocturnal hypoglycemia and in lowering hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (without increasing the risk for severe hypoglycemia) in children with type 1 diabetes. Methods. Eleven children with type 1 diabetes and HbA1c values consistently >8.0% were randomized either to the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) group or to the control group. The CGMS group used 6 3-day sensors within a 30-day period. Both groups self-monitored their blood glucose levels a minimum of 4 times daily. HbA1c levels were measured at the start, at 1-month, and after 3 months of study. Results. The 5 children using the CGMS had 17 asymptomatic episodes (85%) of glucose levels below 60 mg/dL (3.25 mmol/L) and 3 symptomatic episodes (15%) during the night in the study month. The 6 control children had 4 symptomatic nocturnal low episodes during the month. After the 30-day period of wearing the CGMS, the 5 children had a significantly lower mean HbA1c value compared with their initial value (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] decrease = .36% ± .07%). The mean decrease for the controls was .2% ± .2%. After 3 months, 4 of the 5 children who used the CGMS continued to have lower HbA1c values in comparison to their initial values (mean ± SEM decrease = 1.04% ± .43%). Three of the 6 control participants also had lower HbA1c values at 3 months (mean ± SEM decrease for the group = .62% ± .44%). No severe hypoglycemic events occurred in either the CGMS or the control groups. Conclusion. In this pilot trial, continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring was helpful in detecting asymptomatic nocturnal hypoglycemia as well as in lowering HbA1c values without increasing the risk for severe hypoglycemia in children with type 1 diabetes.

Objective.The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) (insulin pump) therapy in routine pediatric diabetes care by comparing the HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), and hypoglycemic episodes before and after initiation of CSII therapy.Research Design and Methods.Data from 56 patients (7–23 years old) were collected during regularly scheduled visits at a frequency similar to non-CSII patients.Results.The data were analyzed for the entire cohort and 3 subgroups (decreased, stable, or increased HbA1c) stratified according to a ≥0.5% change in HbA1c. The total cohort demonstrated a decrease in HbA1c from 8.5% to 8.3%. The decreased cohort (39.4% of the total cohort) demonstrated a significant decrease in HbA1c from 8.6% to 7.6%. The mean HbA1c of the stable cohort (41.0%) was 8.7%. The increased cohort (19.6%) had an increase in HbA1c from 7.8% to 8.8%. Thirty-six patients (64.3%) maintained or achieved a HbA1c Conclusions.CSII therapy is an appropriate option for some children in routine pediatric diabetes care. It can effectively decrease the HbA1c and reduce hypoglycemic episodes, without producing an abnormal increase in BMI.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether postprandial administration of the new rapid-acting insulin analog Humalog could effectively reduce glucose excursions in children Design. Human Regular insulin given before a meal was compared with the same dose of Humalog after a meal of equal carbohydrate content in five toddlers with insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus. In addition, the use of Humalog before a meal was compared with Humalog given after a meal of equal carbohydrate content in five other toddlers. The dose of long-acting insulin was not changed during the study period. Blood glucose levels were determined at fasting and at 1, 2, and 4 hours postprandially. Results. The 2-hour glucose excursions were significantly lower when postprandial Humalog administration was compared with preprandial Human Regular insulin administration. In contrast, glucose excursions were similar when Humalog was taken before or after the meal. Conclusion. These data show that it is efficacious to give Humalog insulin postprandially in toddlers with type 1 diabetes, allowing increased safety for the young child. The insulin dose can be both matched to the actual food intake and timed to give families increased flexibility and control at mealtime.