From OMIMGalactosemia III (GALAC3), or epimerase-deficiency galactosemia, was originally described as a benign condition in which GALE impairment is restricted to circulating red and white blood cells (Gitzelmann, 1972). Fibroblasts, liver, phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocytes, and Epstein Barr virus-transformed lymphoblasts from these patients all demonstrated normal or near-normal levels of GALE, leading to the designation 'peripheral' (or 'isolated') epimerase deficiency. A second form of epimerase deficiency became apparent in which a patient, despite normal GALT activity, presented with symptoms reminiscent of classic galactosemia and demonstrated severely impaired GALE activity in both red blood cells and fibroblasts (Holton et al., 1981). This form was designated 'generalized' epimerase deficiency. Openo et al. (2006) demonstrated that epimerase deficiency is in fact not a binary condition but is, rather, a continuum disorder.
For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of galactosemia, see GALAC1 (230400).
http://www.omim.org/entry/230350 From MedlinePlus GeneticsClassic galactosemia, also known as type I, is the most common and most severe form of the condition. If infants with classic galactosemia are not treated promptly with a low-galactose diet, life-threatening complications appear within a few days after birth. Affected infants typically develop feeding difficulties, a lack of energy (lethargy), a failure to gain weight and grow as expected (failure to thrive), yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), liver damage, and abnormal bleeding. Other serious complications of this condition can include overwhelming bacterial infections (sepsis) and shock. Affected children are also at increased risk of delayed development, clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract), speech difficulties, and intellectual disability. Females with classic galactosemia may develop reproductive problems caused by an early loss of function of the ovaries (premature ovarian insufficiency).
Researchers have identified several types of galactosemia. These conditions are each caused by mutations in a particular gene and affect different enzymes involved in breaking down galactose.
Galactosemia type II (also called galactokinase deficiency) and type III (also called galactose epimerase deficiency) cause different patterns of signs and symptoms. Galactosemia type II causes fewer medical problems than the classic type. Affected infants develop cataracts but otherwise experience few long-term complications. The signs and symptoms of galactosemia type III vary from mild to severe and can include cataracts, delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, liver disease, and kidney problems.
Galactosemia is a disorder that affects how the body processes a simple sugar called galactose. A small amount of galactose is present in many foods. It is primarily part of a larger sugar called lactose, which is found in all dairy products and many baby formulas. The signs and symptoms of galactosemia result from an inability to use galactose to produce energy.
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/galactosemia