Issue 98 Item 5 Metformin Found Safe and Effective for Children

Metformin significantly improved blood sugar control in children with Type 2 diabetes Experts say the number of children with type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in the past 10 years. They blame the increase, in part, to the rising number of obese and overweight children who live sedentary lives. Typically, diabetic children have type 1 diabetes, and insulin is used to treat the disease. Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease and not related to obesity in children. Experts say alternative therapies are needed to treat children with type 2 diabetes, especially because insulin can cause weight gain.

The drug metformin has been used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes for many years. It improves blood sugar control and increases sensitivity to insulin. There is also a low risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, with metformin. Researchers from around the country studied the drug in 82 children between the ages of 10 and 16 with type 2 diabetes. Children were given up to 1,000 mg twice a day for up to 16 weeks.

Compared to a placebo, metformin significantly improved blood sugar control in children. Further, the drug did not have a negative impact on weight. Authors of the study write, "Metformin was shown to be safe and effective for treatment of type 2 diabetes in pediatric patients." SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2002;25:89-94