Pump Therapy for Children: Weighing the Risks and Benefits

Pump Therapy for Children: Weighing the Risks and Benefits View 2: Insulin Pump Therapy in Young Children With Diabetes Francine Ratner Kaufman , MD , Mary Halvorson , RN, MNS, CDE , Sue Carpenter , RN, CDE , Debra Devoe , MD and Pisit Pitukcheewanont , MD Abstract In Brief Insulin pump therapy has been shown to be beneficial in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes; however, there is little data on very young children with regards to the risk/benefit ratio of pump therapy. This article describes the outcomes of insulin pump therapy in young children in our center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the criteria for patient selection. Footnotes Francine Ratner Kaufman, MD, is a professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and head of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Mary Halvorson, RN, MNS, CDE, is the administrator, and Sue Carpenter, RN, CDE, is a case manager in the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Debra Devoe, MD, and Pisit Pitukcheewanont, MD, are associate professors of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Note of disclosure: Dr. Kaufman is a stock shareholder in MiniMed, Inc., which manufactures insulin pumps and the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. She has served as an advisor or speaker’s bureau member and has received research support from MiniMed, as well as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, both of which manufacture insulin. Ms. Halvorson is a stock shareholder in MiniMed, Inc., and has received honoraria and research support from MiniMed, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk. Ms. Carpenter is a stock shareholder in MiniMed, Inc. American Diabetes Association