Galactosemia is an inherited disorder. This means it is passed down through families. If both parents carry a nonworking copy of the gene that can cause galactosemia, each of their children has a 25% (1 in 4) chance of being affected with it.

There are 3 forms of the disease:

• Galactose-1 phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) deficiency: Classic galactosemia, the most common and most severe form
• Deficiency of galactose kinase (GALK)
• Deficiency of galactose-6-phosphate epimerase (GALE)

People with galactosemia are unable to fully break down the simple sugar galactose. Galactose makes up one half of lactose, the sugar found in milk.

If an infant with galactosemia is given milk, substances made from galactose build up in the infant's system. These substances damage the liver, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

People with galactosemia cannot tolerate any form of milk (human or animal). They must be careful about eating other foods containing galactose.

Infants with galactosemia may show symptoms in the first few days of life if they eat formula or breast milk that contains lactose. They may develop a serious blood infection with the bacteria E coli.

Symptoms of galactosemia are:

• Convulsions
• Irritability
• Lethargy
• Poor feeding -- baby refuses to eat formula containing milk
• Poor weight gain
• Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Vomiting

Tests to check for galactosemia include:

• Blood culture for bacterial infection (E coli sepsis)
• Enzyme activity in the red blood cells
• Ketones in the urine
• Prenatal diagnosis by directly measuring the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase
• "Reducing substances" in the infant's urine, and normal or low blood sugar while the infant is being fed breast milk or a formula containing lactose

In many states, newborn screening tests check for galactosemia.

Test results may show:

• Amino acids in the urine or blood plasma
• Enlarged liver
• Fluid in the abdomen
• Low blood sugar

People with this condition must avoid all milk, products that contain milk (including dry milk), and other foods that contain galactose, for life. Read product labels to make sure you or your child with the condition are not eating foods that contain galactose.

Infants can be fed:

• Soy formula
• Another lactose-free formula
• Meat-based formula or Nutramigen (a protein hydrolysate formula)

Calcium supplements are recommended.

More information and support for people with galactosemia and their families can be found at:

Galactosemia Foundation -- www.galactosemia.org

People who are diagnosed early and strictly avoid milk products and other foods that contain lactose can live a relatively normal life. However, mild mental impairment may develop, even in people who avoid galactose.

These complications can develop:

• Cataracts
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Delayed speech development
• Irregular menstrual periods, reduced function of ovaries leading to ovarian failure and infertility
• Mental disability
• Severe infection with bacteria (E coli sepsis)
• Tremors (shaking) and uncontrollable motor functions
• Death (if there is galactose in the diet)

Contact your health care provider if:

• Your infant has galactosemia symptoms
• You have a family history of galactosemia and are considering having children

It is helpful to know your family history. If you have a family history of galactosemia and want to have children, genetic counseling will help you make decisions about pregnancy and prenatal testing. Once the diagnosis of galactosemia is made, genetic counseling is recommended for other members of the family.

Many states screen all newborns for galactosemia. If the newborn test shows possible galactosemia, they should contact the child's provider right away for advice about giving their infant milk products. They should also ask the provider about having blood tests that can be done to confirm a diagnosis of galactosemia.

Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase deficiency; Galactokinase deficiency; Galactose-6-phosphate epimerase deficiency; GALT; GALK; GALE; Epimerase deficiency galactosemia; GALE deficiency; Galactosemia type III; UDP-galactose-4; Duarte variant

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Updated by: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.