[Insulin pen in the treatment of childhood diabetes].

37 diabetic children changed from insulin syringes, with individually adapted mixtures of rapid and intermediate acting insulin, to a regimen involving use of an insulin pen (Insuject, Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen) and standard insulin mixtures. During the study an attempt was made to arrive at an optimal regimen for each child by selecting from among the following available insulin preparations (proportion rapid/intermediate acting in parentheses): Velosulin (100/0), Initard (50/50), Mixtard (30/70), Combitard (15/85), and Insulatard (0/100). The 35 families who completed the one-year study maintained that the Insuject pen made the injection procedure much easier. The pen proved to motivate the children to perform the injection without help. No effort was made to increase the number of daily injections, but seven families changed from two to three daily doses on their own initiative. The HbAlc at zero, three, six, nine and 12 months were as follows (SD in parentheses): 7.5 (1.2); 7.9 (1.5); 7.6 (1.2); 7.8 (1.4); and 7.9 (2.1). We conclude that the Insuject insulin pen is a safe and reliable instrument in childhood diabetes. Good metabolic control can be obtained with commercial insulin mixtures given 2-3 times daily.