Why are there more and more cases of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is increasingly common in children and adolescents due to the increase in obesity at these ages.

Risk factors include family history of DM2 and belong to an ethnic risk group (such as the American, African -American, Latin American and some populations of Southeast Asia).

The basis of DM2 is insulin resistance, which can lead to hyperinsulinism, prediabetes and diabetes with decreased insulin secretion.

Patients with DM2 can be asymptomatic and are often diagnosed by screening or by finding hyperglycemia in a casual way.

DM2 is more serious when it begins in pediatric age due to rapid deterioration of the function of the beta cell and the highest incidence of comorbidities and complications.

Conclusions:

- Type 2 diabetes mellitus is rare in pediatric age, although its incidence is increasing due to the increase in the prevalence of obesity.
- Its appearance is very rare before puberty.
- DM2 screening is indicated in patients with overweight/obesity and risk factors from 10 years.In them, prevention work is essential to promote healthy habits.
- DM2 is more aggressive when it debuts in adolescence, with faster deterioration of the beta cell function.
- Micro and macrovascular complications are more frequent, early and faster than in the DM1 and that in the DM2 of the beginning in the adult.
- The treatment includes modifications of life, metformin and insulin styles.Recently, treatment with GLP-1 agonists has been approved.

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