Background and Aims: Intensive insulin treatment, either with multiple daily injection (MDI) or with insulin pump (IP), is the standard treatment for paediatric patients with type I diabetes (DMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare patient’s metabolic control with both therapies and, for those with IP, compare metabolic control before and after its placement.

Method: Retrospective and analytical study including paediatric patients who attend to the Diabetes Paediatrics’ Consult in a level II hospital. Study subjects were divided in two groups: group1 with IP and group2 with MDI. Data concerning body mass index (BMI) and the latest laboratory evaluation (and in group1 before and after pump introduction) was collected. SPSS® v24 analysis was used.

Results: 59 patients were included, 30 were in group 1 and 29 in group 2. The median age was 13 years old (2-17 years). In group 1 the mean values of HbA1C and glucose were lower than in group 2 (8,3 vs. 9,6%; 192,3 vs. 224,6mg/dl) (p<0,05). Regarding the children with IP placed over one year in group1 (n=18), when comparing the previous and latest laboratory values, an improvement of the mean HbA1c and glucose controls was noted (9,3 vs. 8,6%; 232,4 vs. 199,4mg/dl), and an aggravation in BMI values (17,75 vs. 18,46).

Conclusion: According to the results presented, pump therapy enables a better metabolic control when compared with MDI. Our study corroborates previous published studies that consider IP as the gold standard treatment in paediatric patients with DMI, despite the weight gain that needs to be controlled.

INSULIN PUMP THERAPY – WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS?