Galactosemia

Galactosemia is a rare inherited metabolic disorder that impairs the body's ability to break down the sugar galactose, most commonly caused by deficiency of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase. Because galactose is a component of lactose found in milk, including breast milk, untreated exposure in infancy causes liver damage, cataracts, kidney problems and intellectual disability; the condition is managed with a galactose-free diet begun as early as possible, often after detection through newborn screening programs.