title: The use of computers in the control of diabetes in children and adolescents.
abstract: The actual and possible applications of computers in diabetes management are manifold. There are programs for medical information, storage and analysis, pertinent literature search, artificial intelligence, algorithms assisting the patient to adjust the insulin dose and education programs. One very useful microcomputer program DIACON is described in detail. This program is both an educational and therapeutic tool in that it increases both knowledge and long term compliance; it stores, displays and analyses the large amount of self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) data, HbA1, C-peptide, nutritional data, sport activities and insulin dose. It is concluded that the use of computers in the management of diabetes has become a necessity, but despite the programs of artificial intelligence and algorithms, it is critical that the physician retains the ultimate responsibility for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Incumbent of the Irene and Nicholas Marsh Chair of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Laron
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Flexer
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Albag
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ofan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*