Diabetes is increasing in U.S. children and adolescents. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, about 206,000 Americans under age 20 have diabetes.

“Diabetes control is critical in reducing the risk of long-term complications, such as blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage,” says Michael Tansey, M.D., University of Iowa Children's Hospital pediatric endocrinologist.

One of the keys to controlling diabetes is frequent monitoring of blood sugars. Currently, conventional home testing is done four times a day. But new devices are being developed that can automatically monitor blood sugar continuously. The new glucose monitors can evaluate and measure sugar levels up to 288 readings per day instead of the traditional four to see how sugars change after meals and even through the night.

“The ultimate benefit is more information for patients about their blood sugars, allowing them to make changes and to stay healthy,” says Tansey.

University of Iowa Children's Hospital is part of the Diabetes Research in Children Network (DirecNet) that studies the use of continuous glucose monitors in children. For more information about the research contact Julie Coffey, A.R.N.P., nurse coordinator, at julie-coffey@uiowa.edu