Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2005; 113(3): 167-170
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837522
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Clinical Characteristics of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Overweight European Caucasian Adolescents

T. Reinehr1 , W. Andler1 , T. Kapellen2 , W. Kiess2 , A. Richter-Unruh3 , E. Schönau4 , O. Seewi4 , E. Heinze5 , M. Wabitsch5
  • 1Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik, University of Witten-Herdecke, Datteln, Germany
  • 2Hospital for children and adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Essen, Essen, Germany
  • 4Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • 5Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 30, 2004 First decision: July 21, 2004

Accepted: September 9, 2004

Publication Date:
23 March 2005 (online)

Abstract

Aim: To present the clinical features of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in overweight European Caucasian children and adolescents.

Methods: We report the clinical characteristics of 16 non-syndromal overweight European Caucasian adolescents with T2DM (10 boys, 6 girls, SDS-BMI in median + 2.8, range + 1.6 to + 3.4) treated in 5 specialised centres for obesity and diabetes.

Results: None of the adolescents manifested with ketoacidosis. 13 were asymptomatic (3 adolescents with polyuria), 12 showed features of metabolic syndrome (dyslipidaemia or hypertension), 8 demonstrated acanthosis nigricans and 12 had relatives with T2DM. 11 adolescents were extremely obese and all patients were pubertal. Mean age at diagnosis was 14.2 years (range 11.0 - 16.9). Median insulin was 19 µU/ml, insulin resistance index (HOMA) 8.5, C-peptide 2.3 ng/ml, HbA1c 6.9 %, fasting blood glucose 176 mg/dl and blood glucose at 2 hours with the oGTT 229 mg/dl at manifestation. Fasting blood glucose and HBA1c were in the normal range in 4 and 6 adolescents respectively, while oGTT always fitted the diagnosis of T2DM.

Conclusion: Since T2DM occurred in Caucasian overweight adolescents and is frequently asymptomatic, it is essential that clinicians perform diagnostic procedures to identify T2DM in high-risk groups of overweight Caucasian adolescents (extreme obesity, features of metabolic syndrome, relatives with T2DM).

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Dr. Thomas Reinehr

Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik
University of Witten-Herdecke

Dr.-F.-Steiner-Str. 5

45711 Datteln

Germany

Phone: + 492363975221

Fax: + 49 23 63 97 52 25

Email: T.Reinehr@kinderklinik-datteln.de

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