Glucose galactose metabolism, or GGM, is a rare genetic disease that interferes with the absorption of the dietary sugars, glucose and galactose. This metabolic disease is characterized by a defect in the transport of glucose and galactose across the cells lining the intestine, according to an article in "GUT" a leading international medical journal. This prevents the body from getting glucose and galactose, which are vital sugars the body needs for energy. GGM is usually seen in neonates, and identifying the symptoms quickly can help aid diagnosis.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common symptom of glucose galactose malabsorption, an article in the "Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine" reports. The extra sugar trapped in the intestinal lumen acts like a diuretic that draws water into the lumen of the intestine. The excess water leads to profuse diarrhea in neonates affected by GGM. The diarrhea is typically a chronic condition that begins within a few days to weeks after birth. Eliminating glucose and galactose from the diet will cause this symptom to disappear.
Dehydration
If your child has glucose galactose malabsorption, he may suffer from dehydration, the U.S. National Library of Medicine states. Much of your child's water can be lost due to severe diarrhea. Dehydration can cause decreased skin turgor and sinking of the fontanelles, which are the small holes within an infant's skull. Dehydration in neonates is a very severe condition that can quickly progress from a mild symptom to a severe complication. Once your child has been diagnosed with GGM, seek prompt and appropriate medical treatment.
Weight Loss
Infants suffering from glucose galactose malabsorption will experience significant weight loss as a symptom of their disease, Genetics Home Reference explains. Neonates with GGM are unable to absorb essential sugars from their diet. Without these sugars, the body is unable to produce adequate amounts of energy. Therefore, the child's body breaks down fat and muscle tissue and uses the break down products for energy. This causes a drastic decrease in weight in infected children. This weight loss is particularly evident when an affected child is compared to a normal child. In order to prevent this weight loss, the child should not be given oral foods containing sugars. Rather, children affected with GGM, should receive IV nutrition.
References
- Genetics Home Reference: Glucose-galactose Malabsorption
- "GUT;" Glucose-galactose malabsorption: demonstration of specific jejunal brush border membrane defect.; December 1988; Booth et al
- "Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine;" Congenital glucose-galactose malabsorption; August 1974; Wimberley and Harries
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Glucose galactose malabsorption
