Pharmacotherapy of Children and Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Increasing obesity and overweight has led to increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in adolescents and young adults all over the world. Overweight naturally reduces insulin sensitivity. The following permanent insulin resistance can be found even in younger obese children. Beta-cell insufficiency following high insulin production over years leads to impaired glucose tolerance and later type 2 diabetes mellitus. In children and adolescents, the diagnosis of T2D is often made by screening very obese patients with oral glucose tolerance test. Usually in these patients, few or no diabetes symptoms are found. As frequently found in pediatric pharmacotherapy, only a few of the modern substances used in adults are available for pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The essential change in lifestyle for weight reduction is difficult in this age group with often rather disappointing results.