Endocrine Abstracts

Diabetes control is poor in children in the UK with fewer than 20% of children achieving target HbAlc levels. Multiple injection therapy and insulin pumps produce the most physiological blood glucose control but both require the child to have blood glucose testing and insulin dosing at each meal and most snacks, and therefore at school. There are often huge obstacles to setting appropriate support in place in schools, particularly in children who are too young to perform their...

Introduction: There is concern that lowering the HbA1c target for children and young people with T1DM would increase the amount and severity of hypoglycaemia.Aims: To examine the relationship between HbA1c and blood glucose (BG) levels, particularly hypoglycaemia, in children with T1DM treated to current target.Methods: BG meter downloads (Diasend) were examined for the 3 months before the latest HbA1c level in children with HbA1c ...

Background: Lipoatrophy (LA) was commonly associated with insulin use prior to the development of purified insulin in the 1970’s, and then has virtually disappeared. In the last few years, however reports of LA among patients using analogue insulin preparations have increased. We report a case series of 4 patients from a tertiary paediatric diabetes unit presenting with LA while on treatment with analogue insulin via a continuous s.c. insulin infusion pump (CSII).<p c...

Introduction: The management of diabetes during surgery in children is not evidence-based although the ISPAD has produced consensus guidelines.Aims: To explore the variability of guidelines in three regional diabetes networks in South West and South Central England and to compare them to the current ISPAD 2009 Guidelines.Methods: Within an audit of in-patient care, a copy of the surgical guidelines was requested from 27 paediatric ...

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on childhood type 1 diabetes (T1D) do not recommend cholesterol screening. However, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) has an annual cholesterol measure (>12 years) as a key outcome indicator. This is confusing for professionals managing children with T1D.Methods: An online survey was sent to 280 members of the Association of Children’s Diabetes Clinic...

Background: Unrecognised type I diabetes (TIDM) can have serious consequences which may be avoidable with early diagnosis. Many children have delayed diagnosis, however contributing factors are unclear.Aims: To evaluate the patient pathway before diagnosis and initial hospital management of children with TIDM.Methods: Over a 3-month period, parents of children newly diagnosed with TIDM across the UK completed a questionnaire. Addit...

Since the introduction of national BSPED DKA guidelines we wondered whether the previous variability in DKA guidelines would be abolished.Aim: To explore the variability of guidelines in three regional diabetes networks in South West (SW) and South Central England and to compare them to the current BSPED guidelines.Methods: Within an audit of in-patient care, a copy of the DKA guidelines was requested from 27 services. General layo...

Aims: Studies have suggested that breath gases, including acetone, may be related to simultaneous blood glucose (BG) and blood ketone levels in adults with types 2 and 1 diabetes. We aimed to study these relationships in children and young people with type 1 diabetes to assess the efficacy of a simple breath test as a non-invasive means of diabetes monitoring.Methods: Gases were collected in breath bags and measurements were compared with capillary BG an...