Galactosemia

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.svcs@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: (212)668-1000
Fax: (212)483-8179
Tel: (800)465-4837
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.
P.O. Box 2401
Mandeville, LA 70470-2401
Tel: (800)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@galactosaemia.org
Internet: http://www.galactosaemia.org/

Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group
Institute of Child Health, University of Liverpool
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool, L12 2 AP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 151 252 5696
Fax: +44 (0) 151 252 5456
Email: nikkij@liverpool.ac.uk
Internet: http://www.cfgd.cochrane.org/en/index.html

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

Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org

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.

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