Dermatological Complications of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in Children and Adolescents

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics 2008-05, Vol.152 (5), p.622-628
• Main Authors: Conwell, Louise S., MBBS(Hons), PhD, FRACP, Pope, Elena, MD, FRCPC, Artiles, Ana M., RN, CDE, Mohanta, Arun, RDMS, Daneman, Alan, MB, BCh, FRACR, FRCPC, Daneman, Denis, MB, BCh, FRCPC
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adiposity; Adolescent; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - pathology; Female; General aspects; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - administration & dosage; Hypoglycemic Agents - adverse effects; Insulin - administration & dosage; Insulin - adverse effects; Insulin Infusion Systems - adverse effects; Male; Medical sciences; Pediatrics; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Skin Diseases - etiology; Skin Diseases - pathology; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.10.006

Objectives To describe the dermatological changes associated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). To assess their association with duration of CSII, age, adiposity, HbA1c , insulin dose, insulin brand, infusion set or site. Study design We conducted a cross-sectional study of 50 consecutive patients with T1D who were using CSII for >6 months (26 female; age, 13.3 ± 3.5 years [mean ± SD]; CSII duration, 2.8 ± 1.7 years; HbA1c , 7.7% ± 1.1%). A grading scale was devised. Ultrasound scanning was performed in 8 subjects. Results The mean (±SD) severity score was 6.3 ± 3.5 (range, 0-14; maximum possible, 69). Most common were scars