Safety and Feasibility of a Low Carbohydrate Diet in Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Study Summary

Good glycemic control in individuals with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), has been proven to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Despite technological advances such as the use of insulin delivery devices and continuous glucose monitoring, the average glycemic control in T1D is poor. Though dietary management plays a major role in the overall management of T1D, and it is often classified as the most challenging aspect of treatment, the 2019 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes for children and adolescents do not clearly address dietary management. As carbohydrate is the macronutrient with the greatest impact on blood glucose, it is reasonable to suggest that carbohydrate reduction will minimize postprandial glucose excursions and improve diabetes control. For this reason, low carbohydrate diets (LCD) have gained popularity, and observational studies report positive glycemic outcomes. However, to date, scientific evidence from randomized trials on the impact of LCD in children with T1D is lacking. Thus, the over-arching goal of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a low carbohydrate diet in children with T1D, and as an exploratory aim, we will evaluate the efficacy of LCD on glycemic control.

Primary Outcome

Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and home glucose meter, investigators will calculate the number of hypoglycemic events (glucose values \<70 mg/dL but ≥ 54 mg/dL and those \<54 mg/dL), number of severe hypoglycemia and time spent in hypoglycemia (values \<70 mg/dL but ≥ 54 mg/dL and \<54 mg/dL).

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• OTHER Low carbohydrate diet

Study Locations (1)