The natural history of classic galactosemia: lessons from the GalNet registry.
Rubio-Gozalbo ME, Haskovic M, Bosch AM, Burnyte B, Coelho AI, Cassiman D, Couce ML, Dawson C, Demirbas D, Derks T, Eyskens F, Forga MT, Grunewald S, Häberle J, Hochuli M, Hubert A, Huidekoper HH, Janeiro P, Kotzka J, Knerr I, Labrune P, Landau YE, Langendonk JG, Möslinger D, Müller-Wieland D, Murphy E, Õunap K, Ramadza D, Rivera IA, Scholl-Buergi S, Stepien KM, Thijs A, Tran C, Vara R, Visser G, Vos R, de Vries M, Waisbren SE, Welsink-Karssies MM, Wortmann SB, Gautschi M, Treacy EP, Berry GT
Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2019 04 27
Abstract
Classic galactosemia is a rare inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism, caused by a severe deficiency of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT). A galactose-restricted diet has proven to be very effective to treat the neonatal life-threatening manifestations and has been the cornerstone of treatment for this severe disease. However, burdensome complications occur despite a lifelong diet. For rare diseases, a patient disease specific registry is fundamental to monitor the lifespan pathology and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential therapies. In 2014, the international Galactosemias Network (GalNet) developed a web-based patient registry for this disease, the GalNet Registry. The aim was to delineate the natural history of classic galactosemia based on a large dataset of patients.