GALACTOSEMIA Galactose is a sugar gotten from milk and other dairy products. It is converted to glucose to provide the body with energy. In some individuals with Galactosemia, there is the inability to change galactose to glucose. Biochemically, this is because they lack an enzyme known as galactokinase or galactose-1-phosphate uridyl-transferase. This leads to accumulation of galactose-1-phosphate and free galactose in tissues and causes depletion of inorganic phosphate. This condition causes malfunctions in cells of the liver and the nervous tissue. Therefore such patients are faced with mental retardation, enlargement of the liver, poor growth, liver damage and death. They also suffer hypoglycaemia, cataract etc. To detect galactosemia, tests for sugar in blood, bilirubin and transaminases in serum and galactose intolerance test will be done. It is treated by simply keeping patient on galactose free diet and substituting Dairy milk with soya milk. Like and Share
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 18:35:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015