Type 2 Diabetes in Children: Clinical Aspects and Risk Factors

Vol. 57, Suppl. 1, 2002

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 182 KB)

The Second International Novo Nordisk Symposium on Diabetes in Childhood and Adolescence
Copenhagen, Denmark, May 31-June 2, 2001
Guest Editors: M. Silink, Sydney; S. Arslanian, Pittsburgh, Pa.; T. Danne, Hannover; K. Kida, Ehime; M. Knip, Helsinki; P. Swift, Leicester

Session 2: Type 2 Diabetes and MODY

Type 2 Diabetes in Children: Clinical Aspects and Risk Factors
Silva Arslanian

Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus, Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pa., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Horm Res 2002;57:19-28 (DOI: 10.1159/000053308)

Key Words

Insulin resistance
Insulin secretion
Children and adolescents
Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

In the past, type 2 diabetes mellitus was considered a disease of adults and older individuals, not a paediatric condition. Over the last decade, however, in the USA and the rest of the world there has been a disturbing trend of increasing cases of type 2 diabetes in children, mirroring increasing rates of obesity. The risk factors for paediatric type 2 diabetes are: (1) obesity and increased body mass index; (2) family history of type 2 diabetes; (3) membership of ethnic minority; (4) puberty (mean age of diagnosis is ~13.5 years); (5) female gender; and (6) features of 'syndrome X'. The common link among these risk factors is insulin resistance, which plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Both insulin resistance and beta -cell failure are present in the fully established diabetes state. Data will be presented on how these risk factors impact on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in childhood, ultimately leading to type 2 diabetes. The clinical presentation of type 2 diabetes in children and its distinction from type 1 diabetes will be discussed.

Author Contacts

Prof. Silva Arslanian
Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
3705 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (USA)
Tel. +1 412 692 5909, Fax +1 412 692 5834, E-Mail arslans@chplink.chp.edu

Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 114

Medline Abstract (ID 11979018)

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