Galactosaemia is a rare genetic disorder present from birth and can be life-threatening in the newborn period. In galactosaemia, the body is unable to breakdown a sugar called galactose, which builds up in the body and can cause problems.

Galactose is part of lactose, the main sugar in all animal milks (including breast milk, most infant formulas, cow’s milk, goat’s and sheep’s milk). At present, the treatment for Galactosaemia is a lactose and galactose free diet for life. Galactose and lactose are found in milk and all foods that contain milk. Obvious sources include milk, cheese, yoghurts and butter. However, it is also found in less obvious food sources such as sauces, biscuits, processed meats and chocolate where milk or lactose is added during the manufacturing.

Galactosaemia was added to the National Newborn Screening Programme in 1972. Galactosaemia is more common in Ireland than in other countries with around 1 in 19,500 babies born in the Republic of Ireland having Galactosaemia.

For more information see: www.galactosaemia.org

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