Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children: Pathophysiology and risk factors

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been considered rare in the pediatric pop ulation. However, over the last decade, there has been a disturbing 'upswin g in the rate of diagnosis of type 2 DM in the pediatric age group, mirrori ng the increasing rates of obesity in childhood. The pathophysiology of typ e 2 DM discussed in this article focuses on the delicate balance between in sulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. The risk factors for youth-onset t ype 2 DM are presented, with careful evaluation of their impact on insulin sensitivity versus insulin secretion.