Review article

Diabetes Mellitus in Adolescents

Miroslav Dumić ; KBC Zagreb
Anita Špehar Uroić ; KBC Zagreb

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The most common form of diabetes in children and adolescents is type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, there is a growing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus even in this age group due to a pandemic spread of obesity. Successful treatment of type 1 diabetes is of particular importance during puberty, primarily to achieve normal growth and sexual maturation as well as to reduce the risk of long-term microvascular complications. Yet, with the onset of puberty, glycemic control usually deteriorates. This deterioration is often attributed to the psychological problems of adolescence and poor compliance with diet and insulin administration. However, this is not the complete explanation since endocrine changes of puberty may also contribute to the poor glycemic control in adolescents.

Keywords

type 1 diabetes mellitus; type 2 diabetes mellitus; children; adolescents; glycemic control

Hrčak ID:

60002

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/60002

Publication date:

15.6.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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