Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus initially said to be an adult
disease is now reported in children and adolescents in the developed
countries because of increased incidence of obesity and sedentary
habits associated with westernization and lifestyle changes. There is a
paucity of reports from Africa Method: A 9year old overweight female
with a BMI of 28kg/m2 and a strong family history of DM in at least two
generations presented with polyuria and weight loss. The mother had
gestational diabetes and is on oral hypoglycaemics. Fasting blood sugar
was 11.9mmol/l. Urinalysis had +1 of glucose, no ketones. She was
managed with diet control and exercise. Result: The patient has
remained euglycaemic in the past two months without drugs and is losing
weight. Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is being reported in an
obese Nigerian child with a family history of DM and high
socio-economic class. Routine screening of overweight children with a
family history of DM is recommended