Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 RAs in Children and Adolescents With Obesity or Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Importance: Obesity affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are among the few pharmacotherapy options available for this population, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation of efficacy and safety.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs in children and adolescents (<18 years) with obesity, prediabetes, or T2D.

Data sources: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from inception until February 28, 2025. Data analysis was completed from January 2025 to April 2025.

Study selection: RCTs comparing GLP-1 RAs to placebo in children and adolescents with obesity, overweight, prediabetes, or T2D with reported safety and efficacy data were included.

Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently extracted data on sample size, population, interventions, follow-up, and outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB2). Efficacy outcomes (except lipids) were analyzed as estimated treatment differences, lipids as estimated treatment ratios, and safety via rate ratios. A random-effects inverse variance model was used for all outcomes.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary efficacy outcomes were change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (in percentage points), fasting glucose (in milligrams per deciliter), body weight (in kilograms), body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), BMI z scores or percentiles, BMI standard deviation score (SDS), lipid outcomes, and blood pressure. Exploratory efficacy outcomes included obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Safety outcomes included gastrointestinal adverse effects (GI AEs), infections, hepatobiliary disorders, suicidal ideation or behaviors, depression, hypoglycemia, and adverse event discontinuations.

Results: A total of 18 RCTs (11 in obesity, 6 in T2D, and 1 in prediabetes) with 1402 participants (838 GLP-1 RA users and 564 placebo) were included (mean [range] age, 13.7 [6-17] years; 831 female participants (59.3%); median [IQR] treatment duration, 0.51 [0.25-1.00] years). GLP-1 RAs significantly reduced HbA1c (-0.44%; 95% CI, -0.68% to -0.21%), fasting glucose (-9.92 mg/dL; 95% CI, -16.20 to -3.64), body weight (-3.02 kg; 95% CI, -4.98 to -1.06), BMI (-1.45; 95% CI, -2.40 to -0.49), BMI SDS (-0.20; 95% CI, -0.36 to -0.05), BMI percentile (-7.24%; 95% CI, -12.97% to -1.51%), and systolic blood pressure (-2.73 mm Hg; 95% CI, -4.04 to -1.43) and increased GI AE (log[rate ratio] [RR], 0.75). Other AEs, including suicidal ideation or behaviors, showed no significant differences.

Conclusions and relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 trials, GLP-1 RAs significantly improved glycemic, weight, and cardiometabolic outcomes in children and adolescents with T2D or obesity. Available data over a relatively short follow-up suggested suicidal ideation or behaviors were not significantly different, although GI AEs warrant attention in long-term management.