Treatment of Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes.
To review the current literature for the efficacy and safety of available treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the pediatric population.



A search from January 1990 to April 2016 was conducted using PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov using the search terms diabetes mellitus, type 2; adolescent; child; and pediatric Bibliographies of chosen articles were reviewed.



Relevant articles and preliminary data from clinical trials on metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, and α-glucosidase inhibitors for the treatment of pediatric T2DM were reviewed. Studies included randomized controlled, observational, and open-label designs.



Metformin, studied in 4 of the reviewed trials, and premixed insulin appear to be safe and effective in pediatric patients with T2DM. TZDs were well tolerated and yielded favorable results, but may have limited applicability. A sulfonylurea had favorable hemoglobin A1C reduction, but was associated with significant weight gain. Studies of incretin-based agents also showed favorable results in the pediatric population but have limited safety and efficacy data. Several trials for other agents are reported on clinicaltrials.gov with unpublished results, but no statistical analyses are reported.



Metformin and insulin remain the mainstay of treatment for T2DM in pediatric patients. More robust studies are needed to assist in the provision of evidence-based guidance for the treatment of T2DM in youth.
Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, NC, USA jsmith@cfhcnc.org.
Jennifer D
JD
Smith
Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, NC, USA.
Elizabeth
E
Mills
Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, NC, USA.
Sara E
SE
Carlisle
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / Q000378:metabolism; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054795:Incretins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D054795:Incretins; D007328:Insulin; D008687:Metformin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D045162:Thiazolidinediones
diabetes; evidence-based medicine; pediatrics; sulfonylurea; thiazolidinedione; type 2