Insulin pump treatment of type I diabetes mellitus in a patient with C6 quadriplegia

Abstract

A 40-year-old patient with insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetes mellitus since childhood suffered a C6 spinal transection. Recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia resolved after the patient was placed on an insulin pump. The patient is able to set the insulin delivery rate and maintain the pump without assistance. Spinal cord injured patients may lack both the clinical symptoms of, and the ability to respond to, hypoglycemia. The mixing of NPH insulin and regular insulin requires fine motor skills; even with prefilled syringes, the quadriplegic person may have difficulty with subcutaneous injection. The use of an "open loop" insulin pump averts these problems and may provide better glucose control for selected spinal cord injury patients with Type I diabetes.