August 1, 1999
Insulin Pumps
Question from Monroe, New York, USA:
What do you think of using the pump for an eight year old diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two months ago?
Answer:
Using an insulin pump does not seem appropriate to me under these circumstances, for several reasons. First, the diabetes is too new and you both still have a lot to learn before you even think about a pump. Second, most kids of this age do not have the cognitive skills to be independent with pump use. Third, most kids do extremely well on 2 shots a day at this stage, so why make things more complicated right now? Last but not least, you and your child need time to adjust to the fact that he or she has diabetes.
Please take a few deep breaths and get very comfortable with what you are doing. That will make your child a good pump candidate in a year or two.
SS
