Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy in Children and Adolescents: How Effective are the Current Strategies?

Abstract

This paper aims to review the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the effectiveness of the current strategies for its prevention. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the predominant form of diabetes in children and adolescents, but the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in these age groups is currently increasing worldwide. One of the major challenges of T1DM is the development of DN among other microvascular complications. DN evolves over a long period of time starting from microalbuminuria and progressing to end stage renal failure. While microalbuminuria in children is reversible and may not evolve to end-stage renal failure, macroalbuminuria inevitably progresses to end-stage renal failure irrespective of any known treatment. Several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are welldocumented in the literature but addressing a few are critical in the prevention of DN. For instance, tight glycemic control and intensive control of hypertension have significant impact on prevention and progression of DN. From several studies, tight glycemic control has been shown to decrease the risk of microvascular disease in both T1DM and T2DM. Thus, poor glycemic control is critical in the etiology of DN. While tight glycemic control in patients with T1DM reduces the incidence of microalbuminuria and the progression from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria, there is overwhelming evidence to show that antihypertensive treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is important in both preventing and treating microalbuminuria, and thus preventing progression to overt DN. Dietary protein restriction is also an adjunct strategy in retarding the progression of DN. Other novel therapeutic strategies have been recently tried and found potentially effective. Research is ongoing to establish the clinical efficacy and usefulness of some of these new agents in future.

Authors and Affiliations

SN Uwaezuoke

Keywords

Related Articles

Diabetes and glycemia as predictors of peri-operative risk: a paradoxically under-characterized relationship

Diabetes and glycemia as predictors of peri-operative risk: a paradoxically under-characterized relationship

Estimating the Lag Between Onset and Diagnosis of Diabetes from the Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Indian Population

Background & Objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is often characterized by an asymptomatic phase of around 4-7 years between the onset of diabetes and its clinical diagnosis. Diabetic retinopathy is the one to b...

Walking Economy is Impaired in Older Men and Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: We compared the walking economy in older participants with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods: Walking economy was determined in 115 older participants with type 2 diabetes and 130 older control participants...

Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy in Children and Adolescents: How Effective are the Current Strategies?

This paper aims to review the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the effectiveness of the current strategies for its prevention. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the predominant form of diabetes in children...

A Non-Invasive Glucose Estimation in Saliva Samples by using Pre Column Derivatised RP-HPLC

Diagnostic devices available in the market to measure blood glucose level which requires blood as diagnostic body fluid. Hence, necessity arises to find some non-invasive diagnostic mean to measure body glucose level fre...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP201883
  • DOI 10.19070/2328-353X-SI05001
  • Views 93
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

SN Uwaezuoke (2015). Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy in Children and Adolescents: How Effective are the Current Strategies?. International Journal of Diabetology & Vascular Disease Research (IJDVR), 0(1), 1-5. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-201883