Clinical Information

Galactosemia is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from a deficiency of 1 of the 3 enzymes catalyzing the conversion of galactose to glucose: galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT), galactokinase (GALK), and uridine diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase (GALE). GALT deficiency is the most common cause of galactosemia and is often referred to as classic galactosemia. The complete or near complete deficiency of the GALT enzyme is life threatening. If left untreated, complications include liver failure, sepsis, cognitive and intellectual disabilities, and death. Galactosemia is treated with a galactose-free diet, which allows for rapid recovery from the acute symptoms and a generally good prognosis. Despite adequate treatment from an early age, children with galactosemia remain at increased risk for developmental delays, speech problems, abnormalities of motor function, and females are at increased risk for premature ovarian failure. Based upon reports by newborn screening programs, the frequency of classic galactosemia in the United States is approximately 1 in 30,000.

Galactose levels may be continuously elevated in individuals affected with galactosemia even with a galactose-restricted diet regimen due to an endogenous production of galactose. The reduction of galactose to galactitol is an alternate pathway of galactose disposition when galactose metabolism is impaired. The excretion of abnormal quantities of galactitol in the urine of patients is characteristic of this disorder, and patients may have abnormal levels of galactitol even with dietary compliance. Daily consumption of galactose may cause urine levels to rise thus providing information on effectiveness of or compliance with treatment, but unlike erythrocyte galactose-1-phosphate (GAL1P) and plasma galactose, urine galactitol levels usually do not provide insight into acute and transient effects of galactose intake.