Question
My baby has just been diagnosed with galactosemia. Can I feed him formula without lactose?
Answer
Galactosemia is a genetic metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in 1-phosphogalactose uridylyltransferase, which prevents infants from metabolizing galactose produced by lactose digestion. This is a genetic disease characterized by elevated levels of galactose in the blood and urine. The main symptoms include malnutrition, cataracts, intellectual disability, and hepatosplenomegaly. After early diagnosis, it is important to exclude galactose from the diet. Some suggest that dietary restrictions can be lifted after the age of one, but it is generally recommended to maintain lifelong adherence. Timely treatment can reverse symptoms such as cataracts, hepatomegaly, and liver cirrhosis. Importantly, even asymptomatic female carriers can experience elevated blood galactose levels after consuming high-galactose foods. For mothers who have given birth to a baby with galactosemia, it is advisable to limit galactose intake during pregnancy.