Summary
Classical galactosaemia (McKusick 230400) is an: autosomal recessive disorder of galactose metabolism, caused by a deficiency of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT; EC 2.7.712). Most patients present in the neonatal period, after ingestion of galactose, with jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, hepatocellular insufficiency, food intolerance, hypoglycaemia, renal tubular dysfunction, muscle hypotonia, sepsis and cataract. The gold standard for diagnosis of classical galactosaemia is measurement of GALT activity in erythrocytes. Gas-chromatographic determination of urinary sugars and sugar alcohols demonstrates elevated concentrations of galactose and galactitol. The only therapy for patients with classical galactosaemia is a galactose-restricted diet, and initially all galactose must be removed from the diet as soon as the diagnosis is suspected. After the neonatal period, a lactose-free diet is advised in most countries, without restriction of galactose-containing fruit and vegetables. In spite of the strict diet, long-term complications such as retarded mental development, verbal dyspraxia, motor abnormalities and hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism are frequently seen in patients with classical galactosaemia. It has been suggested that these complications may result from endogenous galactose synthesis or from abnormal galactosylation. Novel therapeutic strategies, aiming at the prevention of galactose 1-phosphate production, should be developed. In the meantime, the follow-up protocol for patients with GALT deficiency should focus on early detection, evaluation and, if possible, early intervention in problems of motor, speech and cognitive development.
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Abbreviations
- EGS:
-
endogenous galactose synthesis
- FSH:
-
follicle-stimulating hormone
- Gal-1-P:
-
galactose 1-phosphate
- GALE:
-
UDP-galactose epimerase
- GALK:
-
galactokinase
- GALM:
-
galactose mutarotase
- GALP:
-
galactose-1-phosphatase
- GALT:
-
galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase
- HRQoL:
-
Health Related Quality of Life
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Communicating editor: Georg Hoffmann
Competing interests: None declared
This article is based on a PhD thesis accepted by the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Promotores: Prof. Dr. H. S. A. Heymans, Prof. Dr. R. J. Wanders. Co-promotores: Dr. H. D. Bakker, Prof. Dr. F. A. Wijburg
Electronic databases: Classical galactosaemia OMIM #230400 Galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT): EC 2.7.712
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Bosch, A.M. Classical galactosaemia revisited. J Inherit Metab Dis 29, 516–525 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10545-006-0382-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10545-006-0382-0