(NAPSA)—A unique glucose monitoring system may help children who suffer from diabetes and their parents who must help to monitor glucose levels. Some 17 million people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes—about Users can set personal glu- cose alert levels; an alarm can 150,000 of whom are less than 20 years of age. Every year, close to 13,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in children. Therisk of developing diabetes is higher than virtually all other severe chronic childhood diseases. The fifth deadliest disease in the U.S., uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and kidney disease. Fortunately, there’s now a way for children with diabetes and their parents to intensively monitor glucose levels—helpingto detect hypoglycemia before a severe episode happens. Used successfully by many adults with diabetes, the GlucoWatch G2™ Biographer, developed and manufactured by Cygnus, Inc. and marketed and distributed by Sankyo PharmaInc., is also approved by the FDAfor use by children and adolescents, aged seven to 17. This accurate, reliable and con- venientdevice differs from fingerstick blood glucose monitoring in A unique monitoring device may have a huge impact on improving care for children and adolescents with diabetes. several important ways: It measures anddisplays glucose levels automatically, as frequently as every 10 minutes. It works non-invasively, collecting glucose through the skin, not from blood. e It creates an “electronic diary” that can store more than 8,500 glucose values that can be reviewed at the touch of a button, or uploaded into a software program, helping detect trends and track patternsin glucoselevels. soundif readings are high, low, or likely to be low within 20 minutes. The device consists of two main parts: the durable G2 Biographer, that is worn on a person’s forearm; and the AutoSensor, a singleuse disposable component that attaches to the back of the device and allows for glucose monitoring for up to 13 hours. “As any parentwill tell you, you always worry about your children, their safety and well-being—even more so if your child has diabetes,” says Sonia Cooper, president of the non-profit Children with Diabetes Foundation and mother of a 138year-old son with diabetes. “We’ve had some frightening times—especially at night when his glucose levels dipped too low. Now wecan all rest easier knowing the alarm will beep and wake him. Asa result, he’s now able to go to sleepovers at friends’ houses.” The GlucoWatch G2 Biographer is available by prescription only and is intended to supplement, not replace, conventional blood glucose monitoring. To learn more, call toll-free: 1-866-GLWATCH; or visit www.glucowatch.com.
