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Type 2 diabetes in children in the Netherlands: the need for diagnostic protocols

Joost Rotteveel1, Eline J Belksma, Carry M Renders

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Neuroscien ces, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.rotteveel@vumc.nl

European Journal of Endocrinology
|July 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is rising, leading to type 2 diabetes. Dutch pediatricians diagnosed few type 2 diabetes cases, with many misclassified, highlighting a need for better diagnostic protocols.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global concern.
  • This trend is also evident in the Netherlands, potentially increasing type 2 diabetes incidence.
  • Type 2 diabetes in children requires specific diagnostic and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes by pediatricians in the Netherlands.
  • To evaluate the accuracy of type 2 diabetes diagnoses made in pediatric daily practice.
  • To identify potential misclassifications in type 2 diabetes diagnoses among children.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit, a nationwide register, for new diabetes mellitus cases in 2003-2004.
  • Collected socio-demographic and clinical data via questionnaires.
  • Sent a second questionnaire for clarification on inconclusive or type 1 diabetes diagnoses in overweight/obese children.

Main Results:

  • 1142 new diabetes cases reported; 943 eligible for analysis.
  • Initially, 1.5% (14 patients) were reported with type 2 diabetes; only 7 met ADA criteria.
  • After follow-up, 2.4% of patients were classified as having type 2 diabetes, with significant misclassification observed.

Conclusions:

  • A notable discrepancy exists between pediatricians' diagnoses and ADA criteria for type 2 diabetes.
  • A considerable proportion of reported cases were misclassified, indicating diagnostic challenges.
  • Development of standardized programs for type 2 diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and classification in pediatric practice is essential.
Abstract

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