Children with type 2 diabetes could be offered one of two technologies that will replace the stressful practice of regular, daily finger-prick testing, it was announced today.
New guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, recommends the use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) or intermittently scanned glucose monitoring (isCGM) devices for some children living with type 2 diabetes. The guidance has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
An evaluation committee was told that technologies would automate the process and replace “burdensome”, “tiring”, and “stressful” task of finger prick testing several times a day, NICE said.
The rtCGM, already approved for children with type 1 diabetes, provides a continuous stream of real-time information on a smartphone, which means management of the condition is better, the isCGM device – also known as flash monitoring – works as an alternative to real-time devices.
The new guidance follows changes to NICE’s guideline on the diagnosis and management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and young people published today.
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.
“We’re focused on bringing the best care to people fast, while at the same time ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. This technology can take away the burdensome task of several finger prick tests a day, which can be tiring, stressful and have a negative psychological impact on the child.
“Improvements made in managing a child’s diabetes at an early stage can reduce the health impact of the condition later in their lives, and the potential impact on the health service.”
Welcoming the new guidance, Nikki Joule, policy manager at Diabetes UK, said: “We are pleased to see the new NICE guidelines recommending that continuous glucose monitoring devices are made available for some children with type 2 diabetes.
“Diabetes is a relentless condition, requiring constant, careful management, which can be really challenging for children and young people. It’s important that these devices are now rapidly offered to affected families to help them manage their child’s condition well. That will require healthcare systems to swiftly make plans to equitably roll out these devices to children who are eligible.”
The guideline committee has also recommended the technology is offered to children and young people with type 2 diabetes if they have a need, condition or disability that means they cannot monitor their blood glucose by finger prick testing; if they would otherwise have to self-measure at least eight times a day; have recurrent or severe low blood sugar levels; or have impaired blood sugar awareness.
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