Child With Suspected Type 2 Diabetes

Differential diagnosis for diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes (T1DM)
• Type 2 diabetes (T2DM)
• Chemical/medication induced diabetes
• Stress induced hyperglycemia
• Monogenic Onset Diabetes of Young/Maturity onset diabetes of Young (MODY)

Additional Information:

Laboratory Abnormalities:

• Diabetes is defined as fasting blood glucose > 126 mg/dl, 2 hour post prandial glucose > 200 mg/dl after glucose load of 1 gm/ kg (maximum dose: 75 gm), HbA1c > 6.5% or random blood glucose > 200 mg/dl in patient with classic symptoms of hyperglycemia.
  • In the absence of unequivocal hyperglycemia, result should be repeated.
• Simultaneous c-peptide level is elevated.
• Undetectable Pancreatic autoantibodies: islet cell antibodies (ICA), GAD-65, insulin antibodies, IA2A and ZnT8.
  • Most commercial laboratories may have the assays to test for some/ most of the autoantibodies accurately.
  • Should be done after discussion with the endocrinologist.
• Electrolyte abnormalities: pseudo-hyponatremia (secondary to blood glucose elevation), metabolic acidosis, elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (secondary to dehydration), liver function abnormality (secondary to Non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH)).
• Children with Type 2 diabetes can present in DKA, and are also more likely to present with Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), both of which are medical emergencies.

Diabetes care involves close supervision, intensive education and frequent monitoring. It involves:

• Oral medications:
  • Biguanides (Metformin) – only oral diabetic medication approved for use in children 10 years and older.
• Injectable medications
  • Insulin: rapid acting analogs (Lispro, Aspart, Glulisine), long acting insulin (Human NPH), and basal insulin analogues (Glargine, Detemir)
  • Liraglutide (glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist).  Aproved in children 10 years and older if there is no past medical or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
• Glycemic control is monitored with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and quarterly hemoglobin A1c.
• Patients and their care-givers should receive diabetes self-management education which includes medical nutrition therapy, SMBG, medication administration, life style changes to encourage weight loss, need for monitoring of chronic complications, management of lipid abnormalities, and hypertension.

Treatment for comorbidities if present

• Hyperlipidemia: Lifestyle modification, statins as needed based on LDL level and level of risk factors.
• NASH:  Life style modification, metformin and thiazolidinediones
• Sleep apnea: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and use of CPAP device
• Hypertension: Lifestyle modifications, DASH diet and antihypertensive medication as needed.
• Menstrual irregularity/polycystic ovarian syndrome: Metformin, Oral contraceptive pills.

Suggested References and Additional Reading:

• American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes-2021 abridged for primary care providers. Clinical Diabetes: a publication of the American Diabetes Association. 2021;39(1):14-43.
• American Diabetes Association. Children and adolescents: Standards of medical care in diabetes-2021. Diabetes Care 2021;44(suppl 1):S180-S199.