Experience of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in the outpatient management of diabetic teenagers.

Of forty-five adolescent diabetic patients offered continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) as part of a large feasibility study, 13 (28.9%) initially chose the treatment, but only 4 out of 11 who actually started CSII continued for one year (64% discontinuation rate). In contrast 30.4% of adults approached chose CSII, and 32% had discontinued after one year. Improvement in glycaemic control was poor, and clinical problems were more common in pump-treated teenagers than in adults. CSII does not appear to be a therapeutic solution for adolescents having difficult management problems.