A new form of technology could make it easier for adolescents with form 2 diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels.
Children with Type 2 diabetes are advised to use mobile phone technology to monitor their blood sugar levels instead of pricking their finger.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has already approved this procedure for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
A council of NICE experts stated that real-time continuous glucose monitoring helps to automate the “exhausting” and “stressful” process of multiple daily finger-prick tests.
How does the technology of mobile phones operate?
According to Sky News, a discrete sensor is affixed to a patient’s body in order to monitor both present and historical glucose levels.
“It also displays a prediction of the direction of glucose levels, allowing the patient to self-administer insulin if necessary to stabilize their blood sugar.”
In addition, this technology provides a continuous stream of real-time data on a smartphone, allowing for optimal condition management.
Who may utilize the novel technology?
A committee has recommended that the technology be made available to diabetic toddlers and adolescents who:
- Have a need, condition, or disability that prevents them from monitoring their blood glucose with a finger-prick test, such as mental illness, learning disability, or cognitive impairment
- Would have to evaluate a minimum of eight times per day
- Have frequent or extreme low blood sugar
- Have impaired glucose sensitivity
Anyone who satisfies the criteria should consult with their diabetes team in order to receive a prescription for the technology.
Dr. Judith Richardson, programme director in the Clinical Directorate at NICE, stated, “This technology can eliminate the burdensome task of multiple daily finger prick tests, which can be exhausting, stressful, and have a negative psychological impact on the child.”
“Improvements made in the early management of a child’s diabetes can reduce the health impact of the disease later in life, as well as the potential impact on the health service.”
Health minister Helen Whately added, “Offering glucose monitoring devices to children will alleviate a portion of this burden for hundreds of children and enable them to manage their condition with greater ease.”
