Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Sep 20: A new study has found that Mounjaro, a GLP-1–based drug from Eli Lilly, can sharply reduce blood sugar levels and aid weight loss in children as young as 10 who have type 2 diabetes—a potential breakthrough in paediatric diabetes care, the New York Post reported.

Currently approved only for adults, Mounjaro is now being evaluated for younger patients after promising trial results. “Type 2 diabetes in children and teens is increasing at an alarming rate, yet treatment options are limited,” said Dr Kenneth Custer, executive vice president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health. “The SURPASS-PEDS results show Mounjaro delivered significant improvements in A1C, BMI and other key risk factors, with a safety profile consistent with adult studies.”

The urgency is clear: According to the CDC, the incidence of type 2 diabetes among US children nearly doubled from 9 per 100,000 in 2002 to 18 per 100,000 in 2018. If the trend continues, the number of affected youth could soar from 28,000 in 2017 to 220,000 by 2060.

Researchers say early intervention with drugs like Mounjaro could help children avoid severe complications later in life, offering new hope for families grappling with the rising epidemic.