Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Schizophrenia and Diabetes in Children

Illness may not stop at diabetes for some kids

A new study published in the June issue of Pediatric Diabetes suggests that type 2 diabetes might be linked to neurospsychiatric disorders in children. According to the study, "as many as one in five children with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes may also have a neuropsychiatric disorder." The possible neuropsychiatric disorders include: "depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, developmental delay, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder."

"Our findings may be important in screening practices for children with either of these conditions," said Dr. Lorraine E. Levitt Katz, pediatric endocrinologist with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Obese children with neuropsychiatric conditions should be screened for diabetes, and children with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes should be screened for psychiatric conditions," she added.

Type 2 diabetes occurs most frequently in adults. However, in the last decade there has been a rise in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in children. A possible reason for this rise might be the increase in numbers of "overweight and obese" children.

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