Galactokinase Deficiency Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Karl S Roth, MD; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 13, 2012
 

History

  • Hepatosplenomegaly at birth (reported in a single case) is not common in neonates with galactokinase deficiency.
  • Failure to develop a social smile or to follow objects may represent initial signs of a visual deficit due to cataracts.
  • GI symptoms associated with the ingestion of galactose are conspicuously absent.
  • Growth parameters are unaffected.
  • Family history is not relevant.
  • Soy formula (given to the infant for other reasons) may curtail the development of cataracts and delay the consequent diagnosis of galactokinase deficiency. However, milk products introduced into the diet later will result in cataract formation.
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Physical

  • Cataracts may be apparent upon gross inspection of the eye.
  • Opacities may be visualized during attempts at funduscopic examination.
  • Vision-based developmental landmarks, such as tracking, reaching, and social smiling, may be reached late or not at all.
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Causes

  • Galactokinase deficiency is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder mapped to band 17q24.
  • At least 20 mutations are known, of which the P28T mutation is considered the founder mutation.
  • Many genetic variations of GALK1 have been identified in the patients with galactokinase deficiency.[4, 5]
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Karl S Roth, MD  Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine

Karl S Roth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society of Nephrology, Association of American Medical Colleges, Medical Society of Virginia, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael Fasullo, PhD  Senior Scientist, Ordway Research Institute; Associate Professor, State University of New York at Albany; Adjunct Associate Professor, Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College

Michael Fasullo, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Mutagen Society, Genetics Society of America, and Radiation Research Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Hagop Youssoufian, MD, MSc  Vice President of Clinical Research, ImClone Systems Incorporated

Hagop Youssoufian, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and American Society of Human Genetics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP  Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Director RSA, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Cuthbert C, Klapper H, Elsas L. Diagnosis of inherited disorders of galactose metabolism. Curr Protoc Hum Genet. Jan 2008;Chapter 17:Unit 17.5. [Medline].

  2. Janzen N, Illsinger S, Meyer U, Shin YS, Sander J, Lücke T, et al. Early cataract formation due to galactokinase deficiency: impact of newborn screening. Arch Med Res. Oct 2011;42(7):608-12. [Medline].

  3. Hennermann JB, Schadewaldt P, Vetter B, Shin YS, Mönch E, Klein J. Features and outcome of galactokinase deficiency in children diagnosed by newborn screening. J Inherit Metab Dis. Apr 2011;34(2):399-407. [Medline].

  4. Park HD, Kim YK, Park KU, Kim JQ, Song YH, Song J. A novel c.-22T>C mutation in GALK1 promoter is associated with elevated galactokinase phenotype. BMC Med Genet. Mar 24 2009;10:29. [Medline].

  5. Park HD, Bang YL, Park KU, Kim JQ, Jeong BH, Kim YS, et al. Molecular and biochemical characterization of the GALK1 gene in Korean patients with galactokinase deficiency. Mol Genet Metab. Jul 2007;91(3):234-8. [Medline].

  6. Berry GT. The role of polyols in the pathophysiology of hypergalactosemia. Eur J Pediatr. 1995;154(7 Suppl 2):S53-64. [Medline].

  7. Beutler E, Matsumoto F, Kuhl W, Krill A, Levy N, Sparkes R, et al. Galactokinase deficiency as a cause of cataracts. N Engl J Med. Jun 7 1973;288(23):1203-6. [Medline].

  8. Bosch AM, Bakker HD, van Gennip AH, van Kempen JV, Wanders RJ, Wijburg FA. Clinical features of galactokinase deficiency: a review of the literature. J Inherit Metab Dis. Dec 2002;25(8):629-34. [Medline].

  9. Gitzelmann R. Hereditary galactokinase deficiency, a newly recognized cause of juvenile cataracts. Pediatr Res. 1967;1:14-23.

  10. Hunter M, Heyer E, Austerlitz F. The P28T mutation in the GALK1 gene accounts for galactokinase deficiency in Roma(Gypsy) patients across Europe. Pediatr Res. 2002;51:602-606.

  11. Kerr MM, Logan RW, Cant JS, Hutchison JH. Galactokinase deficiency in a newborn infant. Arch Dis Child. Dec 1971;46(250):864-6. [Medline].

  12. Levy NS, Krill AE, Beutler E. Galactokinase deficiency and cataracts. Am J Ophthalmol. Jul 1972;74(1):41-8. [Medline].

  13. Pickering WR, Howell RR. Galactokinase deficiency: clinical and biochemical findings in a new kindred. J Pediatr. Jul 1972;81(1):50-5. [Medline].

  14. Reich S, Hennerman J, Vetter B. An unexpectedly high frequency of hypergalactosemia in an immigrant Bosnian population revealed by newborn screening. Pediatr Res. 2002;51:598-601.

  15. Sangiuolo F, Magnani M, Stambolian D. Biochemical characterization of two GALK1 mutations in patients with galactokinase deficiency. Hum Mutat. 2004;23:396.

  16. Thalhammer O, Gitzelmann R, Pantlitschko M. Hypergalactosemia and galactosuria due to galactokinase deficiency in a newborn. Pediatrics. Sep 1968;42(3):441-5. [Medline].

 
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UDP-galactose synthesis and galactosemia. The most common form of galactosemia is due to a deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). This enzyme normally uses galactose-1-phosphate derived from dietary galactose. In the absence of GALT, galactose-1-phosphate accumulates, along with excessive galactose and its oxidative and reductive products galactitol and galactonate (not shown). UDP-galactose synthesis may also be impaired in the absence of GALT but not completely because UDP-galactose-4′-epimerase (GALE) can form UDP-galactose from UDP-glucose and can supply the donor to galactosyltransferases required for normal glycoconjugate biosynthesis.
 
 
 
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