Hundreds of children with type 2 diabetes to be offered two ‘life changing’ testing technologies.
For the first time, new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring or intermittently scanned glucose monitoring devices for some children who live with the disease.
Instead of having to use insulin therapy and finger prick testing which NICE described as ‘burdensome’ and ‘stressful’, technology could automate this process.
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Dr Judith Richardson, programme director in the Clinical Directorate at NICE said: ‘ Type 2 diabetes in children is the most aggressive form of the disease and recommending new technology is a clear step towards giving children on insulin therapy the ability to manage their own condition in a less invasive way, and to live happier and healthier lives.’
The technologies work by sending a continuous stream of real-time information to a smartphone which allows better and quicker management of the condition.
A sensor is discreetly attached to the body to monitor glucose levels and shows a prediction of where levels are headed so that children can inject themselves with insulin to stabilise themselves if necessary.
Children can also opt for a intermittently scanned glucose monitoring device, also known as flash monitoring as another alternative.
Research has found both types of technology help a person in maintaining optimal blood sugar control.
Professor Partha Kar, national specialty advisor for diabetes at NHS England welcomed the recommendation.
‘Some of the children and young people with type 2 diabetes often have the most complex needs with a high proportion of them having either a learning disability, special educational need or mental health issue.
‘Asking these children to carry out finger prick testing when non-invasive sensors are progressing to become standard care in diabetes is not right, so I am pleased these evidence-based recommendations have been made to offer this life-changing technology to them.’
The guideline has recommended the technology be offered to children and young people with type 2 diabetes if they have a need, condition or disability that means they cannot finger prick test; would otherwise be advised to self-measure at least eight times a day; have recurrent or severe low blood sugar levels or have impaired blood sugar awareness.
Policy manager at Diabetes UK, Nikki Joule called for these devices to rapidly be offered to affected families.
‘That will require healthcare systems to swiftly make plans to equitably roll out these devices to children who are eligible.’