Screening, diagnosis, and management of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in adolescents.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), type 2 diabetes mellitus, was once considered rare in children and adolescents. This is no longer true as NIDDM now accounts for 5% to 45% of new cases of diabetes mellitus in the pediatric age group. Most commonly, this disease is seen in obese children with a family history of NIDDM, and particularly in African American, Native American, and Hispanic children. Acanthosis nigricans and hyperandrogenism are sometimes seen. Pediatric health care providers should be aware of the factors that contribute to the development of NIDDM in children as well as the approaches to diagnosis and treatment.