Advancements in pharmacotherapy options for treating diabetes in children and adolescents

IntroductionThis study compares diabetes management between pediatric and adult patients and identifies treatment challenges and gaps.Areas coveredWe searched PubMed and Clinicaltrails.gov databases for studies published from 2001 to 2023 on diabetes management in different age groups.Expert opinionResearch shows children have lower insulin sensitivity, clearance, and beta cell function than adults. The US FDA only allows insulin, metformin, and liraglutide as antidiabetic medication options for children. However, some off-label drugs, like meglitinides, sulfonylureas, and alogliptin, have demonstrated positive results in treating certain types of diabetes caused by gene mutations. It's crucial to adopt personalized and precise approaches to managing diabetes in pediatrics, which vary from those used for adult patients. New studies support the classification of type 2 diabetes into several subtypes based on age, BMI, glycemia, homeostasis model estimates, varying insulin resistance, left-to-right markdifferent rates of complicationsleft-to-right mark, and islet left-to-right markautoantibodies. With this insight, prevention, treatment, and precision medicine of diabetes might be changed. More research is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of different antidiabetic drugs and improve diabetes treatment for children and adolescents.

Automated summary

This study compares diabetes management between pediatric and adult patients and identifies treatment challenges and gaps. Research shows children have lower insulin sensitivity, clearance, and beta cell function than adults. Personalized and precise approaches are crucial in managing diabetes in pediatrics, and more research is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of different antidiabetic drugs and improve diabetes treatment for children and adolescents.