When galactose can’t be broken down and digested, it builds up in the tissues and blood in large amounts. Its byproducts also build up in large amounts. Because they are poisonous for the body, galactosemia may be life-threatening if not treated right away.
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.
Beside this, What happens if galactosemia is not treated?
Infants with galactosemia usually have diarrhea and vomiting within a few days of drinking milk or formula containing lactose. Some of the other early effects of untreated galactosemia include: Failure to gain weight or grow in length. Poor feeding and poor suck.
Likewise, Can you grow out of galactosemia?
Galactosemia is a lifelong condition that children will not outgrow. However, galactosemia can be easily managed by following a galactose-free diet.
Also, How does galactosemia affect a person’s life?
The buildup of galactose in the blood can be dangerous. Without diagnosis and intervention, galactosemia can be life-threatening in newborns. Common complications of galactosemia include: liver damage or liver failure.
What are some effects of untreated galactosemia?
Untreated galactosemia can cause rapid, unexpected death due to an infection that invades the blood. Infants with untreated galactosemia may also develop brain damage, liver disease, and cataracts. Each child with galactosemia is different so the outcome will not be the same for all children.
21 Related Question Answers Found
What is the life expectancy of someone with galactosemia?
With a galactose-restricted diet patients have a normal life expectancy. However, patients may still suffer long-term complications such as problems of mental development, disorders of speech, hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and decreased bone mineral density (Bosch 2006).
How is a person’s health affected by galactosemia?
The signs and symptoms of galactosemia type III vary from mild to severe and can include cataracts, delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, liver disease, and kidney problems.
Can you die from galactosemia?
Galactosemia means too much galactose builds up in the blood. This accumulation of galactose can cause serious complications such as an enlarged liver, kidney failure, cataracts in the eyes or brain damage. If untreated, as many as 75% of infants with galactosemia will die.
Can galactosemia go away?
There is no cure for galactosemia or approved medication to replace the enzymes. Although a low-galactose diet can prevent or reduce the risk of some complications, it may not stop all of them.
How does galactosemia affect the other human body functions?
Affected infants develop cataracts but otherwise experience few long-term complications. The signs and symptoms of galactosemia type III vary from mild to severe and can include cataracts, delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, liver disease, and kidney problems.
What problems can galactosemia cause?
In order to avoid the consequences of galactosemia, which may include liver failure and kidney dysfunction, brain damage and/or cataracts, infants must be treated promptly by removing lactose from the diet. Children treated with this special diet usually show satisfactory general health and growth.
How does galactosemia affect the liver?
Galactosemia is a rare hereditary disease that can lead to cirrhosis in infants, and early, devastating illness if not diagnosed quickly. This disease is caused by elevated levels of galactose (a sugar in milk) in the blood resulting from a deficiency of the liver enzyme required for its metabolism (breakdown).
What organs are affected by galactosemia?
Excess galactose in the blood affects many parts of the body. Some of the organs that may be affected include the brain, eyes, liver, and kidneys. Infants with galactosemia usually have diarrhea and vomiting within a few days of drinking milk or formula containing lactose.
Is galactosemia a disability?
Affected infants develop cataracts but otherwise experience few long-term complications. The signs and symptoms of galactosemia type III vary from mild to severe and can include cataracts, delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, liver disease, and kidney problems.
Does galactosemia affect the brain?
Galactosemia means too much galactose builds up in the blood. This accumulation of galactose can cause serious complications such as an enlarged liver, kidney failure, cataracts in the eyes or brain damage. If untreated, as many as 75% of infants with galactosemia will die.
What does galactosemia do to the body?
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).
Who does galactosemia affect the most?
Frequency. Classic galactosemia occurs in 1 in 30,000 to 60,000 newborns. Galactosemia type II and type III are less common; type II probably affects fewer than 1 in 100,000 newborns and type III appears to be very rare.
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