Diabetes breakthrough with 'artificial pancreas'

Scientists have developed an "artificial pancreas" to regulate blood sugar in children with Type 1 diabetes during a ground-breaking trial, it emerged yesterday.

Researchers in Cambridge showed that using a sensor that measures glucose levels with an insulin pump can improve overnight blood sugar control.

It is hoped the work will help to cut significantly the risk of overnight hypoglycaemia among youngsters – instances where blood sugar levels fall dangerously low.

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A total of 17 children and teenagers with Type 1 diabetes took part in the study, which is detailed in medical journal The Lancet.

The artificial pancreas maintained blood glucose levels in the normal range for 60 per cent of the time, compared with 40 per cent for the regular pump.

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