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FDA clears first over-the-counter glucose monitor for children

By Thomson Reuters Jun 12, 2026 | 3:16 PM

June 12 (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has expanded the use ​of Dexcom’s Stelo Glucose Biosensor ‌System to children with diabetes, making it the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor for pediatric use.

• The device is cleared for patients ‌aged ​two years and ⁠older who do not ⁠use insulin. The FDA had previously cleared Stelo for adults aged 18 and older in March 2024.

• Stelo ​uses a wearable sensor and smartphone app to track glucose levels, ⁠showing readings and trends ⁠every 15 minutes. Each sensor ​can last up to 15 days, though ​wear time may be shorter in ‌children, the FDA said.

• The device can help children and caregivers understand how meals, exercise and lifestyle changes ⁠affect glucose levels, the agency said.

• The FDA said children should use the device under ⁠adult ‌supervision, and users should consult ⁠a healthcare provider before changing ​medication ‌based on its readings.

• The ​device is ⁠not meant for people with problematic low blood sugar, as it is not designed to alert users about that potentially dangerous condition.

(Reporting by Kunal Das ​in Bengaluru)