The baby with galactosemia should not be breastfed or take infant formula containing milk, and should be fed soy-based formulas such as Nan Soy and Aptamil Soy. Children with galactosemia cannot metabolize galactose, a sugar derived from milk lactose, and therefore cannot ingest any milk and dairy products.
In addition to milk, other foods contain galctose, such as animal offal, soy sauce and chickpeas, so parents should ensure that the baby is not offered any foods containing galctose, thus avoiding complications arising from the accumulation of gal lactose, such as mental problems. delayed, cataracts and cirrhosis.
- Babies with galactosemia cannot be breastfed and should take soy-based infant formula that does not contain milk or dairy by-products as ingredients.
- Examples of formulas for these babies are:.
Soy-based formulas should be offered to the baby with the advice of a doctor or nutritionist, as they depend on the baby’s age and weight. Canned soy milks such as Ades and Sollys are not suitable for children under 2 years of age.
Children with galactosemia should not eat milk and dairy products, or products containing galactose as an ingredient, so the main foods that should not be given to the baby at the start of complementary feeding are:
Fermented soy sauce
Parents and caregivers should also check the label for the presence of galctose. The ingredients of industrialized products containing gactose are: hydrolyzed milk proteins, casein, lactoalbumin, calcium caseinate, monosodium glutamate. Learn more about prohibited foods and foods allowed in What to Eat in Case of Gal lactose Intolerance.
Symptoms of galactosemia in infants occur when the child eats foods that contain galactose, these symptoms may be reversible if the galactose-free diet is followed early, but excess sugar in the body can have negative life consequences, such as mental disability and cirrhosis. Symptoms of galactosemia include:
Galactosemia is diagnosed during a heel puncture test or during an exam during pregnancy called amniocentesis, which is why children are often diagnosed early and begin treatment quickly, allowing for proper, uncomplicated development.