Diabetes tipo 2 en población pediátrica española: cifras, pronóstico y posibilidades terapéuticas

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the pediatric age is defined as the impaired balance between insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, obesity and the absence of pancreatic antibodies. The worldwide epidemic of childhood obesity has been accompanied by an increase of T2DM, but not in Spain. Significant risk factors for T2DM include ethnicity, family history, obesity, low (or high) birth weight and gestational DM.

Its outcome includes the early development of acute and chronic diabetic complications and secondary comorbidities as hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.

Treatment goals include lifestyle changes (nutrition and exercise) to achieve glycemic control. Metformin and insulin are the only agents approved for pediatric T2DM.

Children at substantial risk for T2DM should be considered for screening by fasting plasma glucose or oral glucose tolerance test.