*The African Face of Childhood Diabetes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108723*

Other monogenic diabetes forms like MODY should be suspected clinically even when there is lack of laboratory facilities. A family history of diabetes in three subsequent generations, minimum or no requirements to insulin to maintain euglycemia, and bouts of unexplained hypoglycemia outside the honeymoon period should raise the suspicion of monogenic diabetes. Other clinical supportive findings of monogenic diabetes are presence of megaloblastic anemia that is responsive to thiamin (TRMA), deafness with diabetes insipidus and optic atrophy (DIDMOAD), deafness with renal anomalies in Roger's syndrome, and liver dysfunction and skeletal malformation (WRS). Early detection and correct diagnosis are crucial for a better outcome. Molecular testing is very helpful in such cases whenever feasible.

In a recent study from South Africa, 1643 diabetic adults who were diagnosed to have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes were subjected to molecular testing. A total of 6.6% were found to have monogenic diabetes caused by two genes mutations: HNF41A and GCK polymorphism [15]. This indicates that monogenic diabetes is underdiagnosed in our community, which might result in inappropriate treatment and exacerbation of related illnesses. Awareness should be increased among healthcare professional about when to suspect a non-type 1 diabetes mellitus.
