Dermatologic complications of diabetes devices may impact long-term outcomes in pediatric patients

Dermatologic complications associated with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) devices, such as contact dermatitis and lipodystrophies, can negatively impact glycemic control and adherence, particularly in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a study.

Researchers reviewed 25 studies, supplemented by 5 additional articles, focusing on adverse skin reactions in patients aged 0-21. Contact dermatitis emerged as the most common complication in over half of the studies. Other issues included lipodystrophies, nonspecific skin changes, and rare conditions like granulomatous reactions and panniculitis.

The study concluded that greater manufacturer transparency and improved preventive measures are needed, as current strategies like site rotation and steroid creams show inconsistent results.

Reference
Podwojniak A, Flemming J, Tan IJ, et al. Cutaneous Adverse Effects From Diabetes Devices in Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review. JMIR Dermatol. 2024;7:e59824. doi: 10.2196/59824. PMID: 39622650.