Liraglutide Found Effective for Obesity in Children Aged 6 to 11
A study has shown that liraglutide, a drug approved for obesity in older age groups, is safe and effective for children aged 6 to 11, leading to a significant reduction in body mass index. Novo Nordisk is seeking regulatory approval to expand the drug's use to this younger demographic.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 4 |
Novelty | 7 |
Positivity | 6 |
Reliability | 8 |
Actionability | 4 |
Society | 7 |
Journalism | 5 |
Highlights
- Novo Nordisk's liraglutide, sold as Saxenda, was found to reduce body mass index (BMI) by 7.4% in children aged 6 to 11 during a 56-week trial.
- The trial involved 82 children, with 56 receiving daily injections of liraglutide and 26 receiving a placebo.
- Liraglutide is currently approved for use in adolescents aged 12 and older and adults, but not for children under 12.
- The study results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Madrid and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
- Novo Nordisk has applied to U.S. and European regulators to expand the approval of liraglutide for children aged 6 to 11.
Perspectives
- Some experts express concerns regarding the long-term safety and effectiveness of liraglutide in young children, particularly regarding potential impacts on growth and development. [41][42][43]
- There is a strong sentiment among healthcare professionals that effective treatment options for childhood obesity are necessary, as current lifestyle interventions alone often yield modest results. [37][38][40]