Introduction:
Mobile applications are increasingly being utilized in the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children, providing tools to enhance glycemic control, self-management, and adherence to treatment protocols. However, their impact on clinical and behavioral outcomes remains understudied.
Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the differences in glycemic control, hypoglycemia frequency, and related management behaviors between children who use mobile apps for carbohydrate counting and those who do not.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 76 children with T1D, divided into app users (n = 16) and non-users (n = 60). Data on demographic characteristics, glycemic control metrics, hypoglycemia frequency, blood glucose monitoring methods, and challenges in carbohydrate counting were collected. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent t-tests for continuous variables.
Results:
App users had a significantly lower prevalence of abnormal glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels compared to non-users (37.5% vs. 75.0%; p = 0.005) and reported no challenges in carbohydrate counting (0% vs. 26.7%; p = 0.043). Hypoglycemia frequency differed significantly between groups (p = 0.027), with daily hypoglycemia being more common among app users (37.5% vs. 10.2%), while non-users experienced more weekly or less-than-weekly hypoglycemia. Time spent outside the glycemic range was not significantly different between groups. Anthropometric and demographic characteristics, including age, BMI, height, weight, and parental education, were comparable between groups.
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