Can you breastfeed a baby with Duarte galactosemia?
“In Washington you will be told your child has Duarte galactosemia, but you can breastfeed or use a milk-based formula.
Can you breastfeed if you have galactosemia?
In terms of infant conditions, galactosemia is clearly an absolute contraindication to breast-feeding. Breast milk is a rich source of lactose, and the very survival of infants with galactosemia is dependent on their receiving a non-lactose-containing formula.
Why should you not give milk to a child with 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 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).
Which of the following conditions is absolutely prohibited for a breastfeeding mother?
The only true contraindications to breastfeeding are the following: infants with classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency) mothers, in the US, who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Is Duarte galactosemia rare?
Duarte galactosemia (DG) is much more common than classic galactosemia, and is estimated to affect close to one in 4,000 infants born in the United States.
What happens if a baby has galactosemia?
If an infant with galactosemia is given milk, substances made from galactose build up in the infant’s system. These substances damage the liver, brain, kidneys, and eyes. People with galactosemia cannot tolerate any form of milk (human or animal). They must be careful about eating other foods containing galactose.
Do babies grow out of galactosemia?
Galactosemia is a lifelong condition that children will not outgrow. However, galactosemia can be easily managed by following a galactose-free diet.
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.
Can you grow out of galactosemia?
What illnesses can pass through breast milk?
Three viruses (CMV, HIV, and HTLV-I) frequently cause infection or disease as a result of breast-milk transmission. Reasonable guidelines have been pro-posed for when and how to avoid breast milk in the case of maternal infection.
When should you not breastfeed your baby?
The World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then gradually introduced to appropriate foods after 6 months while continuing to breastfeed for 2 years or beyond. Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning. It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right.