Galactosemia

Synonyms: Deficiency of galactose

Galactosemia is a disorder in which the body can not convert (metabolize) galactose into glucose.

Prevention

Knowing your family history helps a lot. If you have a family history of galactosemia and want to have children, genetic counseling will help make decisions about pregnancy and prenatal testing. Once diagnosed with galactosemia, genetic counseling is recommended for other family members.

Several states analyze all newborns to check for galactosemia. If parents discover that the test indicates possible galactosemia, they should immediately stop giving milk products for babies and ask the doctor a blood test done for galactosemia.

Treatment

People with this problem must avoid all milk and products containing milk (including milk powder), and other foods containing galactose for life. It is essential to read product labels and be an informed consumer.

Babies can be fed:

• Soy milk

• Milk or Meat the Nutramigen (protein hydrolyzate formula)

• Another lactose-free milk

Calcium supplements are recommended.