Type 1 diabetes in young children can be a challenging experience for both the child and the entire family. Due to their young age, these children are often unable to communicate their needs, making it harder for caregivers to manage their condition effectively. Recent studies have shown that it is challenging to achieve glycemic targets in very young children with type 1 diabetes. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, such as the Omnipod 5, may be a solution for improving glycemic control in this group. A clinical trial has studied the effectiveness and safety of the Omnipod 5 AID system in children aged 2.0-5.9 years with type 1 diabetes.
The study was done in 10 places in the United States to test a new device for participants who monitor their glucose levels. The study had two parts. In the first part, participants did their usual glucose monitoring for 14 days. In the second part, they used a device called Omnipod 5 for 13 weeks. This device has a tiny insulin pump that works automatically and delivers insulin every 5 minutes. The device can be set to keep glucose levels between 110 to 150 mg/dL.
The study wanted to know if the device is safe and if it helps the participants control their blood sugar levels better. They looked at how many children had severe low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis, and they also measured the average blood sugar levels and the amount of time children spent within a healthy range of blood sugar levels.
The study included 80 children aged 2 to 5 years with type 1 diabetes. Everyone finished the study, and no one had severe low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis while using the Omnipod 5 device. However, 18.8% of the participants had prolonged high blood sugar, but it got better without getting worse. On average, the children's HbA1c levels went down from 7.4% to 6.9%, and the time they spent within a healthy range of blood sugar levels increased from 57.2% to 68.1%. These results suggest that the Omnipod 5 device is safe and helpful for young children with type 1 diabetes.