Tirzepatide Found to Lower A1C, BMI in Children and Adolescents with T2D: Daily Dose

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On September 18, 2025, we reported on findings from a study published in The Lancet that examined the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide compared with placebo in youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D).

The study

Authors of the SURPASS-PEDS clinical trial enrolled 99 participants ages 10 to younger than 18 years with T2D inadequately controlled on metformin, basal insulin, or both. At baseline, participants had an average HbA_1c of 8.04%, BMI of 35.4 kg/m², weight of 96.6 kg, and diabetes duration of 2.4 years. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ran 30 weeks with a 22-week open-label extension in which all participants received tirzepatide. The primary endpoint was change in HbA_1c from baseline to week 30.

The findings

Researchers observed that tirzepatide, at 30 weeks, reduced HbA_1c by an average of 2.2% from a mean baseline of 8.05% using the efficacy estimand, compared with a 0.05% increase with placebo. The 10 mg dose lowered HbA_1c by 2.3% and achieved the American Diabetes Association recommended target HbA_1c of 6.5% or less in 86.1% of participants. For participants treated with placebo, just slightly more than one-quarter (27.8%) reached the target.

Tirzepatide reduced BMI from a baseline of 35.3 kg/m². The 10 mg dose lowered BMI by 11.2% on average, compared with a 0.4% reduction on placebo. The BMI standard deviation score decreased by 0.76 with 10 mg, compared with 0.09 with placebo.

Authors' comments

"Tirzepatide demonstrated significant improvements in glycaemic control and BMI compared with placebo. These effects were sustained over 1 year."

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