The enzyme deficient in Galactosemia is:
High-Yield Explanation
Ref. Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students. Page. 183
Galactosemia is an autosomal recessive trait that results from a defective gene encoding either galactokinase or galactose 1-P uridyltransferase.
There are
over 100 heritable mutations that can cause galactosemia, and the incidence is approximately 1 in 60,000 births.
Galactose will be present in elevated amounts in the blood and urine and can result in decreased glucose synthesis and hypoglycemia.
Galactosemia symptoms often begin around day 3 in a newborn and include the hallmark cataracts.
Jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia do not resolve if the infant is treated with phototherapy
Severe bacterial infections ( E.coli sepsis) are common
in untreated galactosemic infants. Failure to thrive, lethargy, hypotonia, and mental retardation are other common and apparent features