Acute and chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents

SummaryWith the increase in prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adolescents, a rise in incidence of secondary comorbidities—including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, nephropathy, and retinopathy—is anticipated. Furthermore, findings of studies in young adults have suggested that the development and progression of clinical complications might be especially rapid when the onset of type 2 diabetes is early, raising the possibility of a serious public-health challenge in the next few decades. To date, reports of the epidemiology and natural history of secondary complications specifically in adolescents with type 2 diabetes have been scarce. Yet, we must begin to understand the extent of the coming challenge. To this end, we have reviewed reports on acute and long-term comorbidities associated with type 2 diabetes in young people and have looked at mounting evidence that this group could be at increased risk for development of early complications.