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Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Pediatric Obesity: Benefits, Risks, and Approaches to Patient Selection.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Page, LC; Freemark, M
Published in: Curr Obes Rep
December 2020

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Effective treatments for pediatric obesity are limited. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists have emerged as therapeutic agents for obesity in adults and have shown benefits outside of weight loss. Here we explore the evidence for GLP-1R agonist use in pediatric obesity. RECENT FINDINGS: Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1R agonists have a role in pediatric obesity treatment. A recently published, randomized, placebo-controlled trial found a greater reduction in BMI z-score (- 0.22 SDs) in adolescents receiving liraglutide compared with placebo. As in adults, gastrointestinal adverse effects were commonly seen. GLP-1R agonists appear to perform favorably compared with other approved pharmacological agents for pediatric obesity. However, heterogeneity in weight loss response, cost, side effects, and need for injections may limit their use in many pediatric patients. Rather than broadly applying this therapy if it is approved, we suggest careful patient selection and monitoring by clinicians pending further studies.

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Published In

Curr Obes Rep

DOI

EISSN

2162-4968

Publication Date

December 2020

Volume

9

Issue

4

Start / End Page

391 / 401

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Pediatric Obesity
  • Patient Selection
  • Male
  • Liraglutide
  • Humans
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Female
  • Child
 

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Page, L. C., & Freemark, M. (2020). Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Pediatric Obesity: Benefits, Risks, and Approaches to Patient Selection. Curr Obes Rep, 9(4), 391–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00409-7
Page, Laura C., and Michael Freemark. “Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Pediatric Obesity: Benefits, Risks, and Approaches to Patient Selection.Curr Obes Rep 9, no. 4 (December 2020): 391–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00409-7.
Page, Laura C., and Michael Freemark. “Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Pediatric Obesity: Benefits, Risks, and Approaches to Patient Selection.Curr Obes Rep, vol. 9, no. 4, Dec. 2020, pp. 391–401. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s13679-020-00409-7.
Journal cover image

Published In

Curr Obes Rep

DOI

EISSN

2162-4968

Publication Date

December 2020

Volume

9

Issue

4

Start / End Page

391 / 401

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Pediatric Obesity
  • Patient Selection
  • Male
  • Liraglutide
  • Humans
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Female
  • Child