The lack of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) causes galactosemia. This enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of galactose in the body, and its deficiency leads to the accumulation of galactose and its toxic byproducts.
Galactosemia occurs when an enzyme, called 'galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase' (GALT) is either missing or not working properly so the children are examined carefully for this enzyme
Both galactosemia and Tay-Sachs disease are genetic disorders caused by the absence or dysfunction of a particular enzyme. Galactosemia is a disorder where the body is unable to break down galactose, a sugar found in milk, while Tay-Sachs disease is a disorder where the body lacks an enzyme needed to break down certain lipids in the brain. Both conditions can lead to serious health complications if not managed properly.
Phenylketonuria
Galactosemia II is caused by defects in both copies of the gene that codes for an enzyme called galactokinase (GALK). The frequency of occurrence of galactosemia II is about one in 100,000-155,000 births.
A genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing is known as Phenylketonuria (PKU). This leads to a buildup of phenylalanine in the body, which can be toxic to the brain if not managed properly through a restricted diet low in phenylalanine.
Galactosemia is primarily caused by mutations in the GALT gene, which encodes an enzyme called galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase. Mutations in this gene result in reduced or absent enzyme activity, leading to the accumulation of galactose-1-phosphate in the body.
Galactosemia is an enzyme deficiency that can severely affect newborns.Classic Galactosemia is a rare genetic metabolic disorder. The child with classic galactosemia inherits a gene for galactosemia from both parents, who are carriers. Patients who inherit the classic galactosemia gene from each parent are sometimes described as having the genetic makeup "G/G". Normally when a person consumes a product that contains lactose (e.g., dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter), the body breaks the lactose down into galactose and glucose. Glucose is the sugar used by the body for energy. Galactosemia means too much galactose in the blood caused by the individual "missing" the enzyme (known as GALT) to convert galactose into glucose. This accumulation of galactose is a poison to the body and can cause serious complications such as the following and if untreated, as high as 75% of infants will die:enlarged liverkidney failurecataractbrain damageDiagnosis is made usually within the first week of life by blood test from a heel prick as part of a standard newborn screening. Treatment requires the strict exclusion of lactose/galactose from the diet. Although galactosemic children are started on diet restriction at birth, there continues to be a high incidence of long-term complications involving speech and language, fine and gross motor skill delays and specific learning disabilities. Ovarian failure may occur in girls. Prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis is also available.(from related link)
Mannosidosis is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme mannosidase in your body.There are two types:Alpha-mannosidosisBeta-mannosidosisMore detailed information can be found on Wikipedia.
Galactosemia is a condition where infants have trouble digesting lactose to the point where it could harm their organs. People's systems get stronger as people age so older children are no longer affected by the condition.
Galactosemia is a very rare disease that is received through a recessive trait. It is hardly diagnosed but can also be very easily confused with lactose intolerance. Though the two can be very similar but they are very different. Galactosemia is when your body cannot process galactose and lactose intolerance is when your body cannot process lactose. Lactose and galactose can be found in generally the same food group, dairy. The very important difference between the two is that lactose intolerance causes the symptoms of gas, cramps and diarrhea and galactosemia causes excess fat to build up in the brain, cause mental retardation and finally death.
Lactose intolerance is typically considered a recessive trait. It is caused by a reduced ability to produce the enzyme lactase, which digest lactose. If an individual inherits two copies of the gene associated with lactose intolerance (one from each parent), they are likely to be lactose intolerant.