The ADA emphasizes that the management of diabetes in children and adolescents cannot simply be derived from care routinely provided to adults with diabetes. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, developmental considerations, and response to therapy in pediatric-onset diabetes are different from adult diabetes. Here are some key points to consider:
- Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in youth and a multidisciplinary team of specialists trained in pediatric diabetes management should provide care for this population.
- Type 2 diabetes in youth has increased over the past 20 years, and recent estimates suggest an incidence of about 5,000 new cases per year in the United States. Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes in youth is different not only from type 1 diabetes but also from type 2 diabetes in adults, with a more rapid, progressive decline in β-cell function and accelerated development of diabetes complications.
- Treatment of youth-onset type 2 diabetes by a multidisciplinary team should include lifestyle management, diabetes self-management education, and pharmacologic treatment.
- Since most youths with type 2 diabetes come from racial/ethnic minority groups and have low socioeconomic status, consideration of the sociocultural context and efforts to personalize diabetes management are of critical importance to minimize barriers to care, enhance adherence, and maximize response to treatment.
