Early automated insulin may help children with type 1 diabetes, study demonstrates

Children and young people with type 1 diabetes who start using automated insulin delivery systems within six months of diagnosis are likely to have better glycaemic control than those who delay using these systems.

New research has reported that early automated insulin delivery (AID) initiation is also associated with lower rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of timing of AID initiation on glycaemic outcomes in children with type 1 diabetes.

During the trial, the team of scientists analysed data from 9,856 children and adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2020 and 2022 across 27 US centres.

Participants were grouped by AID initiation timing in months: less than six, six to 12, 13 to 24 or no AID use.

HbA1c trajectories, DKA and severe hypoglycaemia rates were assessed over 24 months after a type 1 diagnosis.

According to the findings, earlier AID initiation was associated with lower HbA1c at 24 months. The study also reported that DKA rates were threefold higher in non-AID users. Adjusted models confirmed the timing of AID initiation independently predicted HbA1c outcomes.

The research concluded: “Early AID initiation is associated with improved glycaemic control and reduced DKA risk, underscoring the importance of timely and equitable access to AID systems.”

The paper is entitled ‘Early Initiation of Automated Insulin Delivery at Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis in Children and Adolescents Is Associated with Improved Outcomes’ and is available here.