Use of continuous glucose monitoring systems in children with type 1 diabetes

Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) offer a recent technological solution to fear of hypoglycemia and reduction in hyperglycemia. With glucose readings every 5 minutes, and the alarm capabilities to signal rapid increases or decreases in blood glucose, they afford a sense of security for both children and parents. Although children and parents must continue to be vigilant in the treatment of diabetes, CGMS may effectively allow tight diabetes control with earlier detection of hypoglycemia onset. This article provides an overview of CGMS available at the time of publication; new generations of systems have been introduced annually with improvements in sensitivity and user friendliness.