An ‘artificial pancreas’ can be used to regulate blood glucose in children with Type 1 diabetes, research at Cambridge University has shown.
A study published in The Lancet shows that combining a real-time sensor measuring glucose levels with a pump that delivers insulin can improve overnight blood glucose control and cut the risk of blood glucose levels falling dangerously low.
In total, 17 children and teenagers with Type 1 diabetes took part in the study over 54 nights in hospital.
The glucose monitoring system and insulin pump used in the study are already both widely used. The researchers used a complex algorithm to combine them in a ‘closed loop’ system that monitors the patient’s real-time blood glucose levels and delivers treatment accordingly.
The trial showed the artificial pancreas kept blood glucose levels in the normal range for 60% of the time, compared with 40% for a continuous pump. It also stopped blood glucose levels falling below 3.0mmol/l (significant hypoglycaemia).
“This research demonstrates that closed-loop insulin delivery can achieve safe and tighter overnight glucose control in children and adolescents,” said Dr Victoria King, Research Manager at Diabetes UK. “This is an important step forward in managing overnight blood glucose levels, as well as in the eventual development of a full ‘artificial pancreas’ which could vastly improve the quality of life for people with Type 1 diabetes and reduce the risk of the associated complications.”
Research is underway to tackle the challenges of using this system at mealtimes and during exercise, as well as extending its use to adults.