Galactosemia vs Intolerância à Lactose: Conhecimento e Diferenças

Galactosemia vs Lactose Intolerance

Definition and Causes

• Galactosemia is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to metabolize galactose, a sugar found in milk.
• Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, due to insufficient lactase enzyme.

Symptoms

• Galactosemia symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice in infants, and can lead to developmental delays and intellectual disability if left untreated.
• Lactose intolerance symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps after consuming lactose-containing products.

Diagnosis

• Galactosemia is diagnosed through newborn screening tests, which measure the activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) enzyme.
• Lactose intolerance is diagnosed through a hydrogen breath test, which measures the amount of hydrogen in the breath after consuming lactose, or a lactose tolerance test.

Treatment

• Galactosemia treatment involves a strict galactose-free diet, which must be started immediately after diagnosis to prevent long-term complications.
• Lactose intolerance treatment involves limiting or avoiding lactose-containing products, or taking lactase enzyme supplements to aid in digestion.

Key Differences

• Galactosemia is a genetic disorder, while lactose intolerance is a condition caused by insufficient lactase enzyme.
• Galactosemia is typically diagnosed at birth, while lactose intolerance can develop at any age.
• Galactosemia requires a strict galactose-free diet, while lactose intolerance can be managed with dietary changes or lactase supplements.

Galactosemia vs Lactose Intolerance

Causes and Pathophysiology

• Galactosemia is a rare genetic disorder caused by the deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase enzyme, which breaks down galactose.
• Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, due to the lack of lactase enzyme.

Symptoms

• Galactosemia symptoms include liver damage, kidney damage, and cataracts, which can be fatal if left untreated.
• Lactose intolerance symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, which are generally not life-threatening.

Diagnosis

• Galactosemia is diagnosed through newborn screening tests, which detect the presence of galactose-1-phosphate in blood.
• Lactose intolerance is diagnosed through a hydrogen breath test, lactose tolerance test, or stool acidity test.

Treatment and Management

• Galactosemia treatment involves a strict galactose-free diet, which must be followed for life.
• Lactose intolerance treatment involves limiting or avoiding lactose-containing products, taking lactase enzyme supplements, or managing symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes.

Prevalence and Demographics

• Galactosemia is a rare disorder, occurring in approximately 1 in 40,000 to 1 in 60,000 births.
• Lactose intolerance is more common, affecting approximately 65% of the world's population, with higher prevalence in people of African, Asian, or Native American descent.

Key Differences

• Galactosemia is a genetic disorder, while lactose intolerance is a condition that can be acquired or inherited.
• Galactosemia is a life-threatening condition if left untreated, while lactose intolerance is generally not life-threatening.