Type 2 diabetes in Asian-Indian urban children.

OBJECTIVE

Due to a background of high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and the increasing rate of obesity occurring in relatively young urban children, we felt the need to look for type 2 diabetes in children.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

A study of cases of type 2 diabetes with age at diagnosis of </=15 years seen at a diabetes speciality center in Chennai, India, is reported. A total of 18 children (5 boys and 13 girls) aged 9-15 years with insidious onset of diabetes responding to oral antidiabetic agents (ODAs) for periods from 2 months to 12 years were studied. Clinical details, anthropometry, and details of family history of diabetes were elicited. All of them were tested for the presence of anti-GAD(65) antibodies and for pancreatic beta-cell reserve by measuring serum C-peptide response (radioimmunoassay procedures).

RESULTS

All children showed a response to ODAs, had good beta-cell reserve (>/=0.6 pmol/ml on stimulation), and negligible GAD(65) antibodies indicating the presence of type 2 diabetes. The children were nonketotic; nine were obese, four had acanthosis nigricans, and one had polycystic ovary syndrome. Positive family history of diabetes was present in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical, immunological, and biochemical profile showed that the children had type 2 diabetes. The profile of type 2 diabetes was similar to that described in children in many other countries. Although less common than type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes in children is a condition that needs to be recognized and looked for in Asian-Indians.