J Korean Med Assoc.  2024 May;67(5):342-347. 10.5124/jkma.2024.67.5.342.

Characteristics and management of juvenile type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Rhie YJ

• KMID: 2554752
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2024.67.5.342

Abstract

Background
Over the past two decades, there have been numerous reports on the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents. This trend, which parallels the increase in the prevalence and degree of pediatric obesity, is causing significant concern. This review focuses on the characteristics and current management strategies for juvenile patients with T2DM. Current Concepts: Juvenile T2DM differs from type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children and T2DM in adults as it is an aggressive disease with rapidly progressive β-cell decline, high treatment failure rate, and accelerated development of complications. Current management approaches include lifestyle changes such as improved diet and increased physical activity, and pharmacological interventions such as metformin, insulin, and liraglutide.
Discussion and Conclusion
Early diagnosis and prevention of T2DM in children and adolescents are essential. Furthermore, compared to adults, there is still a lack of available treatment drugs or research in children and adolescents. Therefore, long-term research on the efficacy and safety of various drug treatments for T2DM in children and adolescents is required. Additionally, as it is often asymptomatic in its early stages, significant efforts by physicians are required for the early diagnosis and prevention of T2DM.

Keyword

Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Child; Adolescent; Therapeutics; Diagnosis; 제2형 당뇨병; 소아; 청소년; 치료; 진단