The Efficiency of Flexible Insulin using Carbohydrates Counting Program on Glycated Hemoglobin Test (HBA1C) Level in Diabetic Pediatric Patients in Tripoli

Manal Abuagela; Ambarka Kreim; Fatima Alyas; Shames Abuhalala

doi:10.64516/j0b2hw21

Authors

Manal Abuagela Public Health Department, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. Author
Ambarka Eid. H Kreim Public Health Department, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. Author
Fatima Abd-Aljalil Alyas Public Health Department, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. Author
Shames Abuhalala Public Health Department, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64516/j0b2hw21

Abstract

Background: The carbohydrate (CHO) counting program is used to adjust pre-meal insulin in intensive insulin regimens by using mathematical operations to convert grams of carbohydrates into equal units of insulin. However, diabetes mellitus children’s patients in Libya are still treated with a fixed amount of insulin doses. CCP and determining the insulin dose after meals have proved its efficiency globally.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of flexible insulin using a carbohydrate counting program on the HbA1c level in pediatrics in Libyan hospitals.

Methods: Forty-five children aged between 2 and 18 from Aljala Children Hospital -Tripoli were observed for three months for their HbA1c, which is the factor that is followed by doctors to determine the effectiveness of the insulin daily doses using CCP of their cases. This study was conducted to compare the level of HbA1c before the beginning of the program of carbohydrate counting and three months later. Affective factors may cause significant differences in the efficiency of CCP, such as place of residency, BMI, gender, age, and other associated diseases. The collected data was statistically analyzed.

Results: The results indicate a notable reduction in HbA1c levels in children who adhered to the carbohydrate counting program (CCP). Additionally, attention was given to side effect factors to understand their impact on HbA1c levels and how they are interrelated. Factors like weight and insulin doses were found to have a significant influence, as the response to the CCP program varied among cases based on these factors.

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