Can you breastfeed a baby with Duarte galactosemia?
Floyd College of Medicine. Potter, who collaborated on the study with a team of researchers from Emory University, said the findings provide peace of mind to parents of children with Duarte galactosemia that they can confidently feed their child as they would any other baby.
Why breastfeeding is avoided in galactosemia?
Galactose is half of the chemical lactose, which is most common in milk. Babies and children with galactosemia need to avoid eating or drinking anything that has milk in it, whether from breastfeeding or from an animal. If they get too much galactose, it may damage their liver, kidneys, eyes, or brain.
How do you get Duarte galactosemia?
Duarte galactosemia is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It affects both boys and girls equally. Everyone has two copies of the GALT gene, one inherited from each parent, that make the GALT enzyme. In children with Duarte galactosemia, neither of their GALT genes works correctly.
How common is Duarte galactosemia?
Duarte variant galactosemia is detected in as many as 1:3,500 screened births in some states and essentially zero in others, largely reflecting differences in NBS protocols [Pyhtila et al 2015] (see Diagnosis, Erythrocyte GALT enzyme activity).
What are the 5 true contraindications to breastfeeding?
Birth Defects.
Is there galactose in breast milk?
This liver enzyme is responsible for breaking down galactose (a sugar byproduct of lactose found in breast milk, cow’s milk, and other dairy foods) into glucose.
When is breastfeeding not recommended?
Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their children for at least 1 year. The longer an infant is breastfed, the greater the protection from certain illnesses and long-term diseases.
What are the 3 types of galactosemia?
There are 3 forms of the disease: Galactose-1 phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) deficiency: Classic galactosemia, the most common and most severe form. Deficiency of galactose kinase (GALK) Deficiency of galactose-6-phosphate epimerase (GALE)
Can you be a carrier of galactosemia?
Parents of children with galactosemia rarely have the condition themselves. Instead, each parent has a single non-working gene for galactosemia. They are called carriers. Carriers do not have galactosemia because the other gene of this pair is working correctly.
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.
What is the life expectancy of someone with galactosemia?
With a galactose-restricted diet patients have a normal life expectancy. However, patients may still suffer long-term complications such as problems of mental development, disorders of speech, hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and decreased bone mineral density (Bosch 2006).
When should I not breastfeed my baby?
The AAP recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. Beyond that, breastfeeding is encouraged until at least 12 months, and longer if both the mother and baby are willing. Here are some of the many benefits of breastfeeding: Fighting infections and other conditions.
How do you know if baby has galactosemia?
A baby may develop signs of galactosemia within the first few days of life if they consume lactose found in breast milk or baby formula.
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These initial signs include:
- refusal to eat.
- spitting up or vomiting.
- yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- lethargy.
- cataracts.
Do babies outgrow galactosemia?
Galactosemia is a lifelong condition that children will not outgrow. However, galactosemia can be easily managed by following a galactose-free diet.
What diseases can be passed through breastmilk?
The concern is about viral pathogens, known to be blood-borne pathogens, which have been identified in breast milk and include but are not limited to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), West Nile virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and HIV.
Can you grow out of galactosemia?
What are signs of galactosemia?
Symptoms of galactosemia are:
- Convulsions.
- Irritability.
- Lethargy.
- Poor feeding — baby refuses to eat formula containing milk.
- Poor weight gain.
- Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Vomiting.
Is galactose found in breastmilk?
Babies with galactosemia (geh-lak-teh-SEE-mee-uh) have high levels of galactose in their blood. Lactose is the main type of sugar in milk, milk-based formulas, and breast milk. Lactose is made up of glucose and galactose. That’s why babies with galactosemia can’t have milk and dairy products.
Can you outgrow galactosemia?
How does galactosemia affect the brain?
Classical galactosemia is an autosomal recessive condition in which there is near total absence of the activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase. Patients with this condition have substantial motor, cognitive, and psychiatric impairments despite dietary treatment.
Is it normal to breastfeed a 10 year old?
“If they feed for as long as they want to they will naturally wean. “In a lot of countries it’s perfectly normal to breastfeed older children and they will do it for a lot longer than we do in the West.”
What are 5 disadvantages of breastfeeding?
Cons of breastfeeding
- Adjustment period and pain. The early weeks of breastfeeding are often the most difficult.
- The benefits may be exaggerated. The benefits of breastfeeding, especially the cognitive benefits, may be exaggerated.
- Loss of bodily autonomy.
- Lack of social support.
- Uneven distribution of parenting work.
What should I avoid while breastfeeding?
5 Foods to Limit or Avoid While Breastfeeding
- Fish high in mercury.
- Some herbal supplements.
- Alcohol.
- Caffeine.
- Highly processed foods.
Can you have mild galactosemia?
Mild galactosemia affects the way the body processes the sugar galactose, a component of milk and dairy products. Children with mild galactosemia may have some difficulty processing galactose. As a result, galactose and other by-products can build up in the bloodstream.
Are babies tested for galactosemia?
Newborns in the United States are required to get this test as part of a newborn screening. A newborn screening is a simple blood test that checks for a variety of serious diseases. Some older infants may need testing if they were adopted from another country and have symptoms of galactosemia.