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Update on Nonautoimmune Diabetes in Children

University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado 80045

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Phil Zeitler, Division of Endocrinology, B256, The Children’s Hospital, 13123 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80045. E-mail: Phil.Zeitler{at}ucdenver.edu.

Over the last two decades, nonautoimmune-mediated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a clinical entity of increasing importance among adolescents. Yet, research specific to adolescent T2DM is in its infancy. Our understanding of the epidemiology of T2DM among adolescents is complicated by variability in definition, incomplete knowledge of novel autoimmune epitopes, the presence of individuals with phenotypic overlap between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and inadequate understanding of the contribution of common single-gene defects. Furthermore, a higher ratio of diagnosed to undiagnosed cases and a strong relationship with the onset of puberty suggest unique aspects of the pathophysiology in adolescents. Investigators have begun to address these areas while also identifying important relationships with the intrauterine development. Well-designed clinical studies are currently examining the adolescent-specific challenges in prevention and treatment of T2DM, whereas a number of associations struggle to provide screening and treatment guidelines to practitioners based on limited understanding of the phenomenon. Finally, there is growing understanding of medium- and long-term morbidity and mortality in early adulthood. Given the likelihood that early-onset T2DM will have important implications for future public health, continued attention to all aspects of this complex social, economic, and physiological disorder is critical.