Treatment options for paediatric diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease in childhood. The global incidence of diabetes emphasizes the health, social and financial magnitude of this disease and the importance of optimizing disease management and prevention.


METHODS
This article reviews the treatments options for type 1 and 2 diabetes in children, focusing on insulin regimens and new alternative therapies.


RESULTS
The treatment goals for children with diabetes mellitus are to achieve normal development with prevention of complications. Insulin is the primary medication in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. New therapeutic options and prevention strategies (cellular therapies, immunomodulation and vaccination) aim to preserve residual beta-cell function. There are limited data about the effectiveness and safety of treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes. Many oral agents are approved only for use in adults and have not been yet studied in children.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapy regimens should be adapted to the lifestyle of individual patients to achieve optimal blood glucose control. The replacement of beta-cells, preservation of the residual beta-cell function and investigation of additional oral treatment options, present a hope for a cure.
Verrotti
Alberto
A
University of Chieti, Department of Pediatrics, Italy.
Chiuri
Rosa Maria
RM
Blasetti
Annalisa
A
Mohn
Angelika
A
Chiarelli
Francesco
F
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin