ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

Preface: The rise of type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide in children is seriously alarming. The adjusted incidence of T2D among children and adolescents nearly doubled, from 9.0 to 17.9 cases per 100 000 persons per year, from 2002-03 to 2017-18. For the first time, the incidence of T2D has surpassed that of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Further to this increase in incidence, a 77% increase in the incidence of T2D in youth was observed in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the arsenal of new drugs to treat children and adolescents is growing: the results of two new drugs were published this year. Identifying those in need of medications is important. This was highlighted by the evidence, from more than 500 youth followed for up to 9 years, that baseline HbA1c and the change in HbA1c level in the first 6 months after diagnosis can predict rapid deterioration. The long-term effects of parental diabetes on disease progression and complications in youth-onset T2D were described.

This year we included articles on gestational diabetes. Specifically, one study provided new evidence of a relation between gestational glucose intolerance, even below the threshold for gestational diabetes, and the risk of offspring overweight/obesity at late adolescence.

The European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) released an update to its 2014 consensus on homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. A new drug, bempedoic acid, was found to reduce the incidence of a composite cardiovascular outcome in people eligible for a statin but not able or willing to take it. A metanalysis revealed increased prevalence of autism among persons with hyperlipidemia. Moderate improvement was demonstrated among individuals with hyperlipidemia who could not tolerate statins compared to a placebo.