Insulin pumps in children - a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Insulin pump therapy is a real breakthrough in managing diabetes Mellitus, particularly in children. It can deliver a tiny amount of insulin and decreases the need for frequent needle injections. It also helps to maintain adequate and optimal glycemic control to reduce the risk of metabolic derangements in different tissues. Children are suitable candidates for pump therapy as they need a more freestyle and proper metabolic control to ensure adequate growth and development. Therefore, children and their caregivers should have proper education and training and understand the proper use of insulin pumps to achieve successful pump therapy. The pump therapy continuously improves to enhance its performance and increase its simulation of the human pancreas. Nonetheless, there is yet a long way to reach the desired goal. AIM: To review discusses the history of pump development, its indications, types, proper use, special conditions that may enface the children and their families while using the pump, its general care, and its advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: We conducted comprehensive literature searches of electronic databases until June 30, 2022, related to pump therapy in children and published in the English language. RESULTS: We included 118 articles concerned with insulin pumps, 61 were reviews, systemic reviews, and meta-analyses, 47 were primary research studies with strong design, and ten were guidelines. CONCLUSION: The insulin pump provides fewer needles and can provide very tiny insulin doses, a convenient and more flexible way to modify the needed insulin physiologically, like the human pancreas, and can offer adequate and optimal glycemic control to reduce the risk of metabolic derangements in different tissues.