Blood glucose monitoring in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: The aims of this review are to explore and quantify the importance of blood glucose monitoring on glycaemic control in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Methods: A literature search of the major bibliographic databases found 11 observational studies which met the inclusion criteria of this review. Results: 9 of the 11 papers found a significant link between self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) frequency and HbA1c reduction, with SMBG monitoring 4 times daily leading to a further reduction in HbA1c of 1% compared to once daily monitoring. Frequent SMBG was correlated to higher social status, higher self-efficacy and increased parental involvement and was a sign of better global self-care behaviour. It was also noted that frequent SMBG leads to improved glycaemic control only if patients are taught what to do with the results and if they have an insulin regimen that allows for adjustment of insulin doses in response to blood glucose values. Conclusion: Frequent SMBG monitoring is an important part of diabetes self-management in children and adolescents with T1DM because it results in a significant reduction in HbA1c. In the long-term this will lead to a reduction in the late complications of T1DM. Providing children and adolescents with T1DM in Malta with an adequate supply of glucose test strips should serve as an incentive for them to check their blood glucose regularly.