Dr. Kordonouri's team compared the outcome of both types of treatments in a population basis of 52 matched-pair patients of similar age, gender and baseline hemoglobin A1C levels. They measured the total daily insulin dose needed per kilogram of body weight, body weight development, and A1C levels at the beginning of the study, after 6 and 12 months of treatment.

Their results, published in the January issue of Diabetes Care, show that, in children under 12 years old, levels of A1C were significantly lower after 6 months and 1 year of continuous infusion treatment, compared to those obtained using multiple daily injections.

For patients over 12 years old, the authors found that the small improvements in A1C levels observed within the first 6 months of continuous infusion were not sustained beyond that period. On the other hand, continuous infusion led to decreased weight gain for these adolescents compared to those undergoing a multiple daily injection regimen.

Finally, episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis occurred more frequently in the continuous infusion group (5 times vs. twice in the multiple daily injection group).

"These episodes are not common, but there was still a 2.5-fold increase in patients using pump therapy. This is something that we have to be very aware of but that we can also address by continuing education," said Dr. Kordonouri. "Overall, it is beneficial to use pump therapy at all ages."