Quick read
Key points
- 1
Classical galactosaemia is a rare inherited condition in which the body can't properly break down galactose, a sugar found in milk (including breast milk and standard infant formula). Without treatment, a build-up of galactose can cause serious problems, including liver damage, in the first days and weeks of life.
- 2
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
- 3
Your baby has been diagnosed and you have questions about their feeding or diet
01 · Know
What is Classical Galactosaemia (C Gal)?
Classical galactosaemia is a rare inherited condition in which the body can't properly break down galactose, a sugar found in milk (including breast milk and standard infant formula). Without treatment, a build-up of galactose can cause serious problems, including liver damage, in the first days and weeks of life.
It is one of the conditions screened for through the heel prick test offered to all newborns, which allows treatment to begin very early, before serious symptoms develop. Treatment involves a lifelong galactose-restricted diet, and with early diagnosis and consistent management, most children do well.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Early detection through heel prick screening changes the outcome
Because galactosaemia can cause serious illness within days if untreated, the early detection provided by newborn heel prick screening is what makes prompt, effective treatment possible.
03 · Act
When to Contact Your Care Team
- 1Your baby has been diagnosed and you have questions about their feeding or diet
- 2Your baby seems unusually unwell, jaundiced, or is feeding poorly before a diagnosis has been confirmed
- 3You need support adjusting to a galactose-restricted diet as your child grows and starts solid foods
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Dietary Management Must Be Guided by a Specialist Dietitian
A galactose-restricted diet needs to be carefully planned and monitored by a metabolic specialist dietitian — this isn't something to adjust based on general advice alone.
- 1Follow the specialist feeding plan exactly.This usually involves a special galactose-free formula rather than breast milk or standard formula.
- 2Attend all metabolic clinic appointments.Regular monitoring helps track your child's growth and development, and adjust the diet as they grow.
- 3Learn to read food labels carefully.As your child grows and starts solid foods, understanding which foods to avoid becomes an important skill.
- 4Connect with a metabolic dietitian regularly.They can help navigate dietary changes at each stage, from infancy through childhood.
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Classical galactosaemia is rare, but newborn screening allows treatment to start early, before serious complications develop.
With a carefully managed galactose-restricted diet and regular specialist follow-up, most children with galactosaemia do well.