Treatment options for paediatric diabetes

Importance of the field: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease in childhood. The global incidence of diabetes emphasizes the health, social and financial magnitude of this disease and the importance of optimizing disease management and prevention. Areas covered in this review: This article reviews the treatments options for type 1 and 2 diabetes in children, focusing on insulin regimens and new alternative therapies. What the reader will gain: The treatment goals for children with diabetes mellitus are to achieve normal development with prevention of complications. Insulin is the primary medication in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. New therapeutic options and prevention strategies (cellular therapies, immunomodulation and vaccination) aim to preserve residual beta-cell function. There are limited data about the effectiveness and safety of treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes. Many oral agents are approved only for use in adults and have not been yet studied in children. Take-home message: Therapy regimens should be adapted to the lifestyle of individual patients to achieve optimal blood glucose control. The replacement of beta-cells, preservation of the residual beta-cell function and investigation of additional oral treatment options, present a hope for a cure. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd.