Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Lipid Metabolism

Abstract

The occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in youth has been established and numerous reports about prevalence, incidence, and clinical characteristics of these adolescents are continuously documented from all over the world [1]. The highlights of this year’s section include: population genetics studies shedding light on both susceptibility to develop T2DM and on novel disease mechanisms; new data on complications of T2DM in youth, and the outcome of a new treatment modality – bariatric surgery in adolescents with T2DM. Several works have aimed to identify children and adolescents who are at increased risk of developing T2DM. The impact of intrauterine exposure to both maternal obesity and maternal diabetes and the impact of medications such as atypical antipsychotic drugs and valproic acid, on impaired glucose metabolism, the metabolic syndrome and T2DM are reviewed. In parallel the reliability of our diagnostic methods for impaired glucose metabolism in obese children is highlighted as well. In addition, evidence for the efficacy and side effects of various pharmacologic medications in obese children and in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndromes (PCOS) is reviewed. The last section reviews clinical practice recommendations for children with diabetes and dyslipidemia for children with elevated LDL cholesterol and with hypertriglyceridemia.