Glycemic, auxologic, and seasonal aspects of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy has increased among patients with type 1 diabetes. This study was performed: (1) to evaluate the effect of CSII on diabetes control in children and young adults, (2) to detect effects of CSII on weight, body mass index (BMI), and insulin requirements, (3) to investigate seasonal variation in diabetes control during CSII therapy, and (4) to investigate the effect of season of initiation of CSII on glycemic control. Thirty-nine patients, ranging in age from 10.1 to 20.5 years, with type 1 diabetes were studied. Quarterly data over 12 months preceding and following CSII initiation were obtained retrospectively. Variables were compared over similar time periods. SAS was used for descriptive and paired t test analysis. (1) Mean blood glucose level was significantly lower at 3 months but not different from baseline at 6, 9, and 12 months post-CSII. (2) Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly lower at 3 and 6 months but not at 9 and 12 mont...