Type 2 diabetes mellitus in European children and adolescents

Aim: The aim of the study was to review the published and unpublished data on type 2 diabetes in European children in order to determine how common this problem is in the dominantly Caucasian population. Methods: The MEDLINE database was searched and a questionnaire was distributed among European Childhood Obesity Group (ECOG) representatives from 16 countries. Results: One hundred and eighty-four children with type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in Europe, 144 of them of Caucasian origin. The majority of them were overweight females and, had positive family history for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Because of the significant rates of type 2 diabetes in Europe, screening for it in obese children and adolescents is highly recommended.