UVA Children's Hospital

UVA's Center for Diabetes Technology developed an artificial pancreas to help young children with Type 1 diabetes better monitor and regulate their blood-sugar levels. The center created a platform using a reconfigured smartphone that's wirelessly linked to the child's blood-sugar monitor and insulin pump. 

In a pilot study, researchers hoped this would eliminate a child's need to manually stick their finger to check their blood sugar levels and inject insulin. The 12-person compared how well kids were able to control their diabetes using traditional methods versus an artificial pancreas.

While using the artificial pancreas, children had lower average blood-sugar levels. They were also more within the target blood-sugar range without an increase in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. 

“The data show that the artificial pancreas, which delivers insulin in an automated way to individuals with Type 1 diabetes, appears to be safe and effective for use in young children age 5-8 years,” said UVA School of Medicine researcher Mark DeBoer, MD.

The 2016-2017 “Best Children’s Hospital” guide from U.S. News & World Report highlights four nationally ranked specialties at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital.  

The four ranked specialties are urology (35th), cardiology/heart surgery (37th), neonatology (38th) and nephrology (49th).

“This honor is really about our providers – our doctors, our nurses, all our staff – who bring their enthusiasm and their passion for their work every single day,” says James Nataro, MD, physician-in-chief at UVA Children’s Hospital.

India Johnson has two rare genetic diseases that caused her liver and kidneys to fail. In February, her mom contacted UVA’s pediatric transplant team, which is part of the only comprehensive transplant center in Virginia.

Coincidentally, the same day, UVA announced a partnership with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The partnership expanded UVA’s pediatric liver transplant program and increased access to care for patients in Virginia.

India and her mother came to Charlottesville and met with the UVA team in person and the Pittsburgh team through a telemedicine connection. She received her new liver and kidney on May 17, just two weeks after being added to the national waiting list.