A breastfednewborn has just been diagnosed with galactosemia. The therapeutic management for this newborn is to:
A.
Stop breastfeeding
B.
Add amino acids to the breast milk
C.
Substitute a lactose-containing formula for breast milk
D.
Give the appropriate enzyme along with breast milk.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Stop breastfeeding.
Explanation:
Galactosemia is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to process galactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Newborns with galactosemia cannot adequately metabolize galactose due to deficiencies in the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). When galactose accumulates in the body, it can lead to serious complications, including liver damage, intellectual disabilities, and cataracts.
Breast milk naturally contains lactose, which is composed of glucose and galactose. Therefore, feeding a breastfed newborn diagnosed with galactosemia poses significant health risks. The presence of galactose in breast milk would exacerbate the condition, leading to elevated galactose levels in the infant’s bloodstream and potentially causing life-threatening complications.
The management of galactosemia primarily involves the elimination of lactose and galactose from the infant’s diet. This requires immediate cessation of breastfeeding and the introduction of a specialized formula that is free of lactose. These formulas typically contain either soy protein or other non-galactose-based protein sources that ensure the infant receives adequate nutrition without the harmful effects of galactose.
In contrast, options B, C, and D are inappropriate. Adding amino acids to breast milk (B) does not address the underlying issue of galactose metabolism. Substituting with a lactose-containing formula (C) would exacerbate the problem, and providing an enzyme with breast milk (D) is not feasible, as the underlying enzyme deficiency cannot be supplemented in that manner.
In summary, the most effective therapeutic management for a newborn diagnosed with galactosemia is to stop breastfeeding and switch to a lactose-free formula to prevent complications and ensure the infant’s health.