Type 2 diabetes in indigenous Australian children and adolescents.
Rates of type 2 diabetes are higher among Indigenous than non-Indigenous Australian children and adolescents. Presentation may be incidental, part of obesity investigation, symptomatic (polyuria and polydipsia) or in ketoacidosis. Investigation should include assessment of fasting insulin, c-peptide and autoantibodies, as well as assessment of diabetes complications and co-morbidities. Management is a challenge, particularly in a resource-limited setting. Management should involve the whole family and, in some cases, extended family, and community, local health-care providers are key, and a multidisciplinary team approach is essential. The primary initial intervention involves life-style change, but medications (oral and insulin) are frequently necessary. Screening of high-risk individuals is recommended. Waist circumference is a key component of risk assessment. Prevention strategies targeting children and adolescents from this high-risk population are urgently required.
Maple-Brown
Louise J
LJ
Menzies School of Health Research, Institute of Advanced Studies, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australia. louise.maple-brown@menzies.edu.au
Sinha
Ashim K
AK
Davis
Elizabeth A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D044382:Population Groups