A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a small sensor worn on the skin that measures glucose in the fluid beneath the skin every few minutes and displays readings on a phone or dedicated reader. Unlike traditional finger-prick testing, which provides a single glucose reading at one point in time, CGM shows the direction glucose is moving, how fast it is changing, and alerts the family when glucose is rising or falling outside the target range. How it works: A small sensor with a thin filament is inserted just under the skin and is typically replaced every 7 to 14 days depending on the device Real-time readings: Glucose readings appear every 5 minutes on a linked phone or reader, showing current level and trend arrows Alerts: The device alerts when glucose drops toward hypoglycaemia or rises toward hyperglycaemia, including during the night when parents cannot manually check Sharing: CGM data can be shared in real time with parents' phones even when the child is at school, allowing remote monitoring I recommend CGM for all children with Type 1 diabetes in my practice. The benefits are particularly significant overnight, when hypoglycaemia is most dangerous and least detectable, and for young children who cannot reliably communicate symptoms. CGM access has improved significantly in India over the past few years, and I discuss the available devices and their relative advantages with every family.
Written by Dr Anjana Hulse, MBBS (Rajiv Gandhi University), MRCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, UK), MSc Paediatric Endocrinology (University of Glasgow, passed with distinction), Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Endocrinologist, Hulse Clinic, 635, 8th Main Road, Near Delmia Circle, Jeewan Griha Colony Phase 2, JP Nagar, Bengaluru 560078. Phone: +91 94802 60001.
