Galactosemia, diet and dairy products: a review

Galactosemia is a rare, autosomal recessive condition in which resulting the inability to convert galactose to glucose. Individuals with galactosemia are intolerant of dietary lactose and galactose, primarily found in milk and milk products. If untreated, the disorder can cause liver failure, kidney dysfunction, sepsis, and death. If it is diagnosed soon after birth and treated by removal of lactose and galactose from the diet, the symptoms will resolve and many of the long-term complications, including cataracts and mental retardation, can be prevented. In this review brief information on galactosemia has been given and dietary treatments, especially dairy products consumption for galactosemia patients were discussed.