Advances in insulin therapy for insulin-dependent diabetic children.

During the last two decades new forms of insulin and a better understanding of the physiological insulin secretion profile have led to great changes in insulin therapy. New insulin regimens mimicking the normal insulin secretory pattern, called intensive insulin therapy, and new insulin-delivery systems have been introduced. Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and the use of glycosylated hemoglobin determination for objective evaluation of long-term control have made the achievement of near normoglycemia a practical goal for most patients taking insulin. 1. New forms of insulin: Beef and pork insulin were replaced by monocomponent pork insulin and now monocomponent human insulin is most popularly used. 2. Intensive insulin therapy: Intensified conventional insulin therapy, that is a multiple injection regimen and a twice a-day insulin regimen using a mixture of intermediate- and short-acting insulins has been commonly accepted. New devices such as pen-type injectors and jet-injectors have also been introduced for simplifying the multiple injection regimen. Continuous subcutaneous insulin injection (CSII) has also been adopted by adolescents and young adults.