Centre for monogenic diabetes inaugurated at Gopalapuram

Hyderabad: The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and Dr Mohan's diabetes specialities centre on Friday announced the inauguration of the centre for monogenic diabetes at Gopalapuram premises of Dr Mohan's diabetes specialities centre.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister, Thiru Ma Subramanian virtually inaugurated the centre for monogenic diabetes.

Speaking about monogenic diabetes, Dr V Mohan said: "Monogenic diabetes refers to forms of diabetes caused by a mutation in a single gene. While there are several forms of monogenic diabetes, the two commonest forms are called Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and neonatal diabetes. MODY affects children or youth, and family history of diabetes can be traced to three or more generations. There are several sub types of MODY, and many of these can be controlled with tablets. In such cases, insulin injections can be stopped, and the tablets often work better than insulin."

Dr RM Anjana MD, Dr Mohan's diabetes specialities centre said: "Neonatal diabetes affects children below 6 months of age and is due to genetic defects in pancreatic insulin secretion. These defects can be corrected by giving anti-diabetic tablets like sulfonylureas which are inexpensive."