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Type 2 diabetes in Indigenous Australian children and adolescents
Author(s) -
MapleBrown Louise J,
Sinha Ashim K,
Davis Elizabeth A
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01844.x
Subject(s) - medicine , polyuria , diabetic ketoacidosis , population , indigenous , type 2 diabetes , polydipsia , ketoacidosis , pediatrics , diabetes mellitus , type 1 diabetes , environmental health , endocrinology , ecology , biology
Rates of type 2 diabetes are higher among Indigenous than non‐Indigenous Australian children and adolescents. Presentation may be incidental, part of obesity investigation, symptomatic (polyuria and polydipsia) or in ketoacidosis. Investigation should include assessment of fasting insulin, c‐peptide and autoantibodies, as well as assessment of diabetes complications and co‐morbidities. Management is a challenge, particularly in a resource‐limited setting. Management should involve the whole family and, in some cases, extended family, and community, local health‐care providers are key, and a multidisciplinary team approach is essential. The primary initial intervention involves life‐style change, but medications (oral and insulin) are frequently necessary. Screening of high‐risk individuals is recommended. Waist circumference is a key component of risk assessment. Prevention strategies targeting children and adolescents from this high‐risk population are urgently required.