[Diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence: 2. Specific aspects in adolescents]

The management of adolescents with diabetes mellitus involves specific aspects at diagnosis and during follow-up. A type 2 diabetes should be excluded at diagnosis since this condition is increasingly observed in closed relationhip with the progression of obesity in young people. During initial education process, the parents should be involved while a specific space and time for interaction with the adolescents is required. During follow-up, all aspects of the adolescent process should be taken into account together with diabetes. This includes risk-taking or exploratory behaviours, feeling of being different, angryness and difficulties for the adolescents to consider the long-term complication risk. Special attention should be devoted to the transition towards adult care.