What are the complications of galactosemia?

What are the complications of galactosemia?

Common complications of galactosemia include:

• liver damage or liver failure.
• serious bacterial infections.
• sepsis, which is a life-threatening problem caused by infections.
• shock.
• delayed development.
• behavioral problems.
• cataracts.
• tremors.

What is the difference between classical galactosemia and non classical galactosemia *?

In classic galactosemia, erythrocyte galactose-1-phosphate is usually >10 mg/dL and erythrocyte GALT enzyme activity is absent or barely detectable. In clinical variant galactosemia, erythrocyte GALT enzyme activity is close to or above 1% of control values but probably never >10%-15%.

Can E coli cause neonatal sepsis?

Neonatal sepsis can be caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E coli), Listeria, and some strains of streptococcus. Group B streptococcus (GBS) has been a major cause of neonatal sepsis. However, this problem has become less common because women are screened during pregnancy.

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.

Why does E coli cause sepsis in galactosemia?

The patients with galactosemia are prone to sepsis due to inhibition of leucocyte bactericidal activity secondary to impairment of cellular release of superoxide ion by galactose [9]. Establishing a diagnosis of sepsis does not exclude the possibility of galactosemia, as sepsis, particularly E.

What is classic galactosemia?

Classic galactosemia (GALT) is an inherited condition in which the body is unable to properly digest galactose, a sugar found in all foods that contain milk. If a child with GALT eats galactose, undigested sugars build up in the blood rather than being used for energy.

Can a child survive sepsis?

Many children who survive sepsis are left with long-term problems. More than 1 in 3 children (34%) who survive experience a change in cognitive skills still at 28 days following their discharge from the hospital. Nearly half return to the hospital at least once after surviving sepsis.

How do infants get E. coli?

In most newborn infections, E coli or other gram-negative bacteria have usually been passed from the mother’s genital tract to the newborn during childbirth. They can also sometimes be spread through person-to-person contact with caregivers or other children.

Why does galactosemia cause mental retardation?

The mental retardation that is sometimes observed in galactosemic children may be caused by the high galactose level, the low glucose level, or both. It has been estimated that hereditary intolerance to galactose occurs in approximately one in 18,000 infants.

How do you know if a baby has galactosemia?

Symptoms start to show up within a few days after they begin to drink breast milk or formula with lactose — the milk sugar that contains galactose. Your baby first loses their appetite and starts vomiting. Then they get jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of their eyes. Diarrhea is common, too.