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Treatment of galactosemia
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Galactosemia type I
The main method of treating galactosemia I is diet therapy. Prescribing lactose-free mixtures leads to rapid relief of the main clinical symptoms and restoration of liver function. However, as extensive clinical experience in treating the disease shows, a large number of patients who adhere to a strict diet nevertheless experience neurological and endocrinological complications.
Galactosemia type II
Treatment involves eliminating dairy products. When treatment begins, the cataract may disappear in 2-3 weeks. If the diagnosis is late and the cataract is dense, surgery is necessary. Cataract may recur if the diet is not followed.
Galactosemia type III
Patients with severe enzyme deficiency cannot synthesize galactose from glucose and are therefore galactose dependent. Complete exclusion of galactose leads to disturbances in the glycosylation of proteins, which are the most important components of nervous tissue, so a galactose-restricted diet should be recommended.