Galactosemia


Content provided by National Organization for Rare Disorders
small text medium text large text

Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Galactosemia is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.


Synonyms


  • Galactose-1-Phosphate Uridyl Transferase Deficiency
  • GALT Deficiency
  • Classic Galactosemia
  • Galactokinase deficiency
  • Galactose-6-phosphatase emirase deficiency

Disorder Subdivisions


  • None

General Discussion


Galactosemia is a rare, hereditary disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that affects the body’s ability to convert galactose (a sugar contained in milk, including human mother’s milk) to glucose (a different type of sugar). Galactose is converted to glucose by a series of three enzyme reactions. The disorder is caused by a deficiency of an enzyme known as "galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase" which is vital to this process.



Galactosemia may also be referred to as classic galactosemia because a few variants of the gene for galactosemia have been identified. One variant causes a milder form of the disorder known as Duarte galactosemia. Classic galactosemia is the most severe form.



Because milk is the staple of an infant's diet, early diagnosis and treatment of this disorder is absolutely essential to avoid serious lifelong disability.


Resources


CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)

Climb Building

176 Nantwich Road

Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 870 7700 325

Fax: +44 870 7700 327

Email: info@climb.org.uk

Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk



Children's Liver Alliance

IN

Email: mail@liverkids.org.au

Internet: http://www.liverkids.org.au



American Liver Foundation

75 Maiden Lane

Suite 603

New York, NY 10038

USA

Tel: 2126681000

Fax: 2124838179

Tel: 8004654837

Email: info@liverfoundation.org

Internet: http://www.liverfoundation.org



NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

2 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3570

Tel: (301)654-3810

Fax: (301)907-8906

Tel: (800)891-5389

Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov



Parents of Galactosemic Children, Inc.

1519 Magnolia Bluff

Gautier, MS 39553

Tel: (228)497-5886

Fax: (228)497-5886

Tel: (866)900-7421

Email: president@galactosemia.org

Internet: http://www.galactosemia.org



Galactosaemia Support Group

31 Cotysmore Road

Sutton Coldfield

West Midlands, B75 6BJ

United Kingdom

Email: sue@gsg1.freeserve.co.uk

Internet: http://www.galactosaemia.org/



Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Review Group

Institute of Child Health

Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust

Alder Hey Hospital, Eaton Road

Liverpool, L12 2 AP

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1512525696

Fax: +44 (0) 1512525456

Email: cfgd@liv.ac.uk

Internet: http://www.liv.ac.uk/cfgd/



Sjældne Diagnoser / Rare Disorders Denmark

Frederiksholms Kanal 2, 3rd Floor

Copenhagen K, 1220

Denmark

Tel: 45 33 14 00 10

Fax: 45 33 14 55 09

Email: mail@sjaeldnediagnoser

Internet: http://www.raredisorders.dk




For a Complete Report


This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:   7/23/2007

Copyright   1987, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.


|Print Print This

Healthwise Logo
Last updated: July 23, 2007

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, Use of Content Agreement and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.

Search


Where Does it Hurt?

body symptoms

If you're experiencing aches and pains we can help you find answers. Find out what your symptoms mean for your health.