Care of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: solutions for technical and psychosocial challenges

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease in children and adolescents below age 15 years. A cure for the autoimmune disease against the insulin-secreting beta cells is still not in sight. Nevertheless, in recent years technical advances in innovation concerning glucose sensor technology, insulin pumps, and new algorithms that regulate insulin delivery have led to a constant improvement of metabolic control achieved in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. This review article shows the current care situation of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents. The multidisciplinary care in specialized pediatric diabetes teams of pediatric diabetologists, diabetes educators, social workers, and psychotherapists has been established for many years and has set grounds for a very good quality of care for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Germany. The focus is on diabetes education, in particular self-management, psychosocial support and intervention, and the inclusion of children and adolescents with diabetes in school, kindergarten, and daycare centers. We also address new, social developments in the online diabetes community. A current example is the patient-operated ecosystem of the Do-It-Yourself Artificial Pancreas System (DIY APS) movement, which, as a patient-operated, open-source project, has meanwhile also become an innovator for industry. Finally, we highlight related opportunities and shifts in classical doctor-patient roles.