title: An update on the pharmacotherapy options for pediatric diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes mellitus is a frequent endocrine disease during childhood and adolescence. Achieving a good glycemic control is of paramount importance to avoid short- and long-term complications and to allow a normal growth and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review offers an update on current available treatment strategies for type 1 and type 2 diabetes approved for use in children and adolescents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although many progresses have been made in the field of diabetes management in children and adolescents, there are still several problems to deal with. With regard to type 1 diabetes, insulin remains the main and essential therapeutic strategy. However, the main issue is to develop a system that allows more physiological insulin coverage and reduces the risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. Adjunct therapies would be invaluable for patients struggling to achieve an acceptable glycemic control. Treatment of type 2 diabetes is based on lifestyle interventions and metformin is the first-line drug for children older than 10 years. As for type 1 diabetes, there is a strong need for developing new drugs to be used alone or in combination.
authors.affiliation: University of Chieti, Department of Paediatrics , Via dei Vestini 5, 66100 Chieti , Italy +0039 0871 358015 ; +0039 0871 574538 ; chiarelli@unich.it.
authors.forename: M Loredana
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marcovecchio
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin