Insulin Needles in Adults and Children

Abstract The efficiency of insulin treatment is not only affected by insulin used but also application tools such as insulin injectors, pens and needles. It is necessary to use properapplication tools to administer correct insulin dosage. As insulin pens replaced conventional insulin injectors over time, the importance of insulin pen needles come up. It wasreported that needles can play role in success of treatment. The thickness, length, internal diameter and technology used in production determine the property of insulin injection. Studies comparing the length of needles on the effect of treatment were contradictory. Some of them reported better results with different lengths of needles while other could not show any difference. Internal diameter is also important for comfortable injection. The needle with a wider internal diameter provides ideal injection with less pain and patient preference. Children and adolescents are different than adults in some aspects. Short needles ensure enough injection deepness and suitable for children. Also needles with a wider internal diameter provide faster injection and preferred by children