On June 12, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for children, the Dexcom Inc. Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, an integrated CGM indicated for people two years of age and older who do not use insulin. This is the first time in the history of pediatric diabetes care that a glucose monitoring technology for children does not require a physician's prescription.
The practical consequence is significant: parents can now purchase a wearable blood sugar monitoring device for their child directly from a pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer, without scheduling a clinic appointment, waiting for a prescription renewal, or obtaining prior authorization from an insurance plan.
