National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young



Other Names:
MODY; Mason type diabetes
Categories:
Subtypes:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 1; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 2; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 3; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 1; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 2; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 3; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 4; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 5; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 6; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 7; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 8; Maturity-onset diabetes of the young, type 9 See More

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a form of diabetes that is characterized by an early onset diabetes.  MODY represents about 2% of all diabetes cases and is commonly misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is due to a primary defect in pancreatic β-cell function.[1] There are several MODY subtypes with distinct genetic causes: MODY1, caused by mutations in the HNF4A geneMODY2, caused by mutations in GCK gene; MODY3 caused by mutations in the HNFA1 (the most common type); MODY4 caused by mutations in the PDX1 gene; MODY5 caused by mutations in the HNF1B gene; MODY6 caused by mutations in the NEUROD1 gene; MODY7 caused by mutations in the KLF11 gene; MODY8 caused by mutations in the CEL gene; MODY9 caused by mutations in the PAX4 gene; MODY10 caused by mutations in the INS gene; MODY11 caused by mutations in the BLK gene; MODY12 caused by mutations in the ABCC8 gene; MODY13  caused by heterozygous mutation in the KCNJ11 gene; and MODY14 caused by mutations in the APPL1 gene. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Treatment depends on the subtype and may include sulfonylureas, insulin or diet and exercise.[1][2]
Last updated: 4/20/2016

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal C-peptide level 0030794
Abnormal oral glucose tolerance 0004924
Elevated hemoglobin A1c 0040217
Glycosuria
Glucose in urine
0003076
Hyperglycemia
High blood sugar
0003074
Hypoinsulinemia 0040216
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia 0000825
Intrauterine growth retardation
Prenatal growth deficiency
Prenatal growth retardation
[ more ]
0001511
Large for gestational age
Birth weight > 90th percentile
Birthweight > 90th percentile
[ more ]
0001520
Neonatal hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar in newborn
0001998
Nephropathy 0000112
Overweight 0025502
Retinopathy
Noninflammatory retina disease
0000488
Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus 0008255
1%-4% of people have these symptoms
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Inability to properly digest food due to lack of pancreatic digestive enzymes
0001738
Hepatocellular adenoma 0012028
Obesity
Having too much body fat
0001513
Pancreatic hypoplasia
Underdeveloped pancreas
0002594
Renal cyst
Kidney cyst
0000107
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources


Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Organizations Providing General Support


These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) was established in 1978 to increase knowledge and understanding about diabetes among patients, health care professionals, and the general public. Click on the link to view information on this topic. 

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
    Orphanet
    Orphanet
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.


  1. Kim S-H. Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young: What Do Clinicians Need to Know?. /Diabetes Metab J. December, 2015; 39(6):468–477. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696982.
  2. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young. OMIM. 2016; http://www.omim.org/entry/606391.