Oral bedtime cornstarch supplementation reduces the risk for nocturnal hypoglycaemia in young children with type 1 diabetes

The effect of oral cornstarch supplementation was evaluated in 14 pre-school children with type 1 diabetes in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The children received cornstarch (0.3 g/kg) or placebo at bedtime on five occasions each, and their blood glucose concentrations were measured at bedtime, at 02.00 h and in the morning. The mean nocturnal blood glucose concentration (at 02.00 h) was 2.2 mmol/L higher and the number of blood glucose concentrations below 5 mmol/L were reduced by 64% when cornstarch had been ingested at bedtime. We conclude that cornstarch may be used in pre-school children with type 1 diabetes to reduce the risk for nocturnal hypoglycaemia.