Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Assess whether attendees to a paediatric diabetes clinic are carrying their blood-glucose monitors and short-acting glucose to identify and treat hypoglycaemia.

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends children with type 1 diabetes should always have access to blood-glucose monitoring and a fast-acting glucose to treat episodes of hypoglycaemia. This study assessed the paediatric population at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals and whether further education about managing hypoglycaemia is needed.

Methods: Over a 3-month period, all attendees to the paediatric diabetes clinic at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals were invited to complete a questionnaire. They were questioned on whether they had their blood-glucose monitor and “hypo treatment” with them and what their hypo treatment was. Their treatments were classified as 1) fast-acting glucose, 2) slow-acting carbohydrate in addition to fast-acting glucose, or 3) unsuitable for the treatment of hypoglycaemia.

Results: 70 children and adolescents responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 64 (91%) reported they were carrying their blood-glucose monitor and 57 (81%) reported they were carrying a hypo treatment. Of those carrying a hypo treatment, 56 of the 57 reported carrying a treatment classified as a fast-acting glucose. In addition, 11 also reported carrying a slow-acting carbohydrate. The one respondent classified as unsuitable was solely carrying a slow-acting carbohydrate. When comparing age ranges, the percentage who reported carrying a fast-acting glucose are: 2–4 years (100%), 5–7 years (86%), 8–10 years (81%), 11–13 years (83%), 14–16 years (79%) and 17–18 years (75%).

Conclusion: The vast majority of children carry a hypo treatment with a fast-acting glucose in their kit. These results are encouraging. However, there is a small group where greater education and encouragement may be needed, particularly as children age and develop greater independence.