OK, I’ll admit it. When I first read about this new blood glucose monitoring system, I didn’t think of the children. My first thought went to my 47 year old dad, who had a diabetes-related heart attack last winter. I figured maybe I could snag him a cheap used DS (read: buy myself a DSi XL and give him my DS Lite) and get him to track his blood sugar that way. Then I remembered, duh, kids have diabetes too. And what better way to help them adjust to their health needs by combining it with a device that’s both fun and familiar.

Created for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite, the DIDGET blood glucose monitoring system helps users adapt to their treatment by rewarding them for consistently testing their blood sugar and meeting their personalized range. Points are awarded based on their consistent progress, unlocking games and customization features for the players.

What a great idea! Hopefully something like this can help a child become more actively involved in the management of their condition. And having completed physical therapy as a child, aided by a N64 in my recovery room, I can attest to the healing powers of Nintendo!

The USDA-approved DIDGET is available at major drugstore retailers for $74.99.

April 28, 2010 – Bayer Diabetes Care announced the introduction of the DIDGET blood glucose monitoring system in the United States. DIDGET is the only blood glucose meter that connects directly to Nintendo DS and DS Lite gaming systems to help kids manage a lifelong disease by rewarding them for building consistent testing habits and meeting personalized blood glucose target ranges. Bayer’s DIDGET meter is now available for purchase in the US through CVS.com, Drugstore.com and Walgreens.com.

Bayer’s DIDGET meter links play with purpose for children with diabetes by tapping into kids’ existing passion for handheld gaming. Bayer’s DIDGET positively reinforces consistent blood glucose testing habits by awarding points that kids can use to unlock new game levels and customize their gaming experience.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the DIDGET blood glucose meter recently and it is now available for a suggested retail value of $74.99 through leading online pharmacies. Nintendo DS and DS Lite gaming systems are sold separately and are not required or needed to use the DIDGET meter. Bayer’s DIDGET World Web Community is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Internet Explorer 7 and 8, Firefox 3.0, 3.5, 3.6. For more information, visit www.bayerdidget.com.