Multiple facets of diabetes in young people

Genetic influences are important in the aetiology of diabetes. The majority of the major advances in our understanding have been in the rare monogenic subgroups like maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). In MODY the description of the aetiological genes has lead to new understanding in many diverse areas including clinical management, pancreatic betacell function and foetal growth and development. Major advances in defining predisposing genes for Type 2 diabetes are likely in the next decade.