Many recent studies have shown that pumps are both safe and effective for toddlers and young children, so long as the parents are highly motivated.^1-6

All of these studies showed an improvement in HbA1C and reduced severe hypoglycaemia by up to 53 percent, as well as increased confidence and independence by parents in caring for their child's diabetes.^1-6

Pumps have been used for many years for teenagers, toddlers and young children.

Because they can address many of the particular problems that parents of toddlers and young children with diabetes experience:

• frequent hypoglycaemia, particularly at night
• unpredictable food intake
• unpredictable physical activity
• requiring very low doses of insulin
• having frequent viral illnesses
• the inability of the child to convey symptoms of hypoglycaemia to parents

 

For irregular eating patterns - an insulin pump gives the ability to program a food bolus dose which can be evenly delivered over a period of time (e.g. 1 hour) and that can be cancelled if the child does not eat all of the food during this time. It is also able to deliver repeated small bolus doses in accordance with their eating habits

For small insulin requirements and high insulin sensitivity - the Paradigm Veo insulin pump delivers insulin in increments as low as 0.025u and each dose is precisely measured. It also allows different basal patterns to cope with days of extra activity where not as much insulin is required or to cope with days of inactivity or sickness where more insulin is required

Fear of hypoglycaemia - insulin pumps can give constant even delivery of insulin and the use of only short acting insulin helps to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia. The Bolus Wizard (unique to Medtronic) helps to take the guesswork out of calculating the right bolus dose or correction dose to bring the blood glucose back within tight control and minimise the risk of developing complications.

The Paradigm Veo has all sorts of safety features and settings that are ideal for younger users.

• a child block feature that disables the buttons so that no insulin can be accidentally programmed
• a remote control to enable a bolus dose of insulin to be given without using the buttons on the pump, so that the child cannot learn how to deliver a bolus to himself
• the pump is well designed and small so that it can be easily worn in a very small backpack or in a colourful small soft pouch on a belt or in a pocket away from little fingers. Children learn very quickly not to interfere with the pump.
• the Paradigm pump performs 1 million safety checks a day giving parents peace of mind
• the Bolus Wizard takes active insulin into account so that bolus calculations are more accurate
• a range of infusion sets and automatic inserters to suit all ages, even for babies just weeks old, allowing children to play and do normal 'kid stuff' without being bothered

Medtronic's Paradigm Veo is also the only insulin pump available with a Low Glucose Suspend⁷ feature to automatically halt insulin delivery should glucose levels fall to severely low levels. With children in particular, this and can really help to take away the fear and anxiety around hypoglycaemia, for you, your child, and your whole family.