Do we need to test for maturity onset diabetes of the young among newly diagnosed diabetics in Saudi Arabia?

Abstract

Monogenic forms of diabetes are still rare and not well understood. Their prevalence among children and young adults at diagnosis is thought to be between 1% and 2% of cases of diabetes. However, awareness of these conditions may be lacking, and screening for them genetically is not routinely undertaken, even when the clinical picture may point to their probability. The aim of this work is to identify the indicators for suspecting cases of monogenic diabetes beyond the neonatal period in children and young adults in Saudi Arabia, and to provide a draft for baseline investigations for those suspected cases, depending on available resources. The implications of the diagnosis of such conditions would be better management of cases, providing genetic counseling to families and planning health resources.