I have kept up with the GlucoWatch news since last year and I am very excited about it! The last thing I read, however, said that it was only for those 18 and older. Our son is almost 8 (Type I, diagnosed January 1998) and I was hoping that he could use the GlucoWatch when it hits the market. Is he too young? Is anything similar to this geared towards children?

So far the GlucoWatch is the first non invasive blood glucose monitor and it is expected to be available early next year (2000). Although there have so far been no clinical trials specifically in children, there is no reason why it should not work in an 8 year old boy. You should understand though that the present instrument, which is designed to be worn on mid forearm, is about equivalent in size to two of those large men’s watches; it can be worn on the leg too.

Judging from my grandson’s activity level, I cant help feeling that the present instrument might rather easily get damaged, lost or just nudged out of position. You could try it, accepting that you might have to put it on the shelf for a year or so or accept that you could not use it all of the time. Alternatively you could wait a year or two for one of two new models, one will be much smaller and suitable for children and another will have a sensor which can be placed anywhere on the body and will be connected by wireless to a recording unit attached to the belt.

DOB