NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR TREATING TYPE 1 DIABETES

Abstract

ype 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by loss of insulin producing beta cells and reliance on exogenous insulin for survival. T1D is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and the incidence is increasing, especially in children less than 5 years of age. The basic elements of type 1 diabetes management are insulin administration (either by injection or insulin pump), nutrition management, physical activity, blood glucose testing, and the development of strategies to avoid hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia that may lead to DKA. The primary clinical goals to be achieved with insulin initiation are elimination of ketosis and hyperglycemia with prevention of chronic complications. Insulin therapy is the mainstay in management of type 1 diabetes, which should aim at achieving good glycemic control, with achievement of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) <7.5%. Newer insulins are available for better glycemic control. The primary benefits of insulin analogues are that the rapid acting insulins work as soon as they are injected and long acting insulins have no peak activity. T