Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) is becoming increasingly popular among children with Type 1 diabetes. Our aim was to evaluate real-life data from children using FGM followed in our center.

Methods: We studied 37 patients (51.4% males), with a mean±S.D. age of 10.1±3.9 years at FGM start for a period of 10.1±6.5 months. HbA1c, BMI z-score, number of self-reported and severe hypoglycemias, total insulin daily dose/kg (TDD/kg), as well as the number of blood glucose self-measurements (SMBGs) by fingerprick were collected and compared with paired analysis before and after introducing FGM.

Results: Mean HbA1c was reduced significantly (7.82%±1.78 vs 7.19%±0.69, P=0.04) after FGM introduction. The number of hypoglycemias/month (6.3±7vs 4.6±5.3, P=0.31), the BMI z-score (0.68±0.99 vs 0.76±0.8 kg/m², P=0.473) and the insulin TDD/kg (0.58±0.3 vs 0.68±0.24 IU/kg/day, P=0.061) did not change. No severe hypoglycemias were recorded before or after FGM. As expected, there was a significant reduction in the number of SMBGs /day (7.05±2.7 vs 2.45±2.38, P<0.001). All families report a high level of satisfaction by the combined use of SMBG and FGM despite frequent discrepancies between them, especially at low glucose levels. All patients use FGM continuously, except from two adolescents who use it intermittently, especially on holidays. The main complaint is sensor detachment especially during summer. The families rarely download the sensor at home.

Conclusions: Short-term follow-up of children using FGM has shown a beneficial effect on HbA1c, with no increase in hypoglycemia. Long-term studies will provide additional information on the impact of FGM on diabetes management.