Reduced burden of diabetes and improved quality of life: Experiences from unrestricted day‐and‐night hybrid closed‐loop use in very young children with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the experiences of families with very young children aged 1 to 7 years (inclusive) with type 1 diabetes using day‐and‐night hybrid closed‐loop insulin delivery.

Methods

Parents/caregivers of 20 children aged 1 to 7 years with type 1 diabetes completed a closed‐loop experience survey following two 3‐week periods of unrestricted day‐and‐night hybrid closed‐loop insulin therapy using Cambridge FlorenceM system at home. Benefits, limitations, and improvements of closed‐loop technology were explored.

Results

Responders reported reduced burden of diabetes management, less time spent managing diabetes, and improved quality of sleep with closed‐loop. Ninety percent of the responders felt less worried about their child's glucose control using closed‐loop. Size of study devices, battery performance and connectivity issues were identified as areas for improvement. Parents/caregivers wished for more options to input information to the system such as temporary glucose targets.

Conclusions

Parents/caregivers of very young children reported important quality of life benefits associated with using closed‐loop, supporting adoption of this technology in this population.