health
2 tests recommended in screening of overweight children for diabetes
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 16, 2011
When screening overweight children for type 2 diabetes, physicians should use two tools -- the hemoglobin A1c test and an oral glucose tolerance test, according to a study presented April 30 at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver. The Pediatric Academic Societies consists of four pediatric organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, that co-sponsor the meeting.
Researchers examined clinic charts of 629 overweight children and adolescents who were patients at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo., between January 2004 and December 2008. The patients received the A1c test and the oral glucose tolerance screen.
Researchers found that 40% of patients who were identified as having type 2 diabetes through the oral glucose test would have shown a normal glycemic status if just the A1c test had been used.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/hlbf0516.htm.
