title: Parenteral galactose therapy in the glucose-intolerant premature infant.
abstract: Blood galactose concentrations were measured in 55 neonates consuming at least 80 ml/kg/day of lactose-containing formula. The range of galactose concentration immediately after feeding was 0.8 to 4.2 mg/dl, with a mean of 1.5 +/- 0.2 mg/dl. Galactose concentration fell rapidly after feeding, and normal values for the population fell with a half-life of 45 minutes. Considering galactose as a potential intravenous nutrient, six glucose-intolerant premature infants were given galactose-containing solutions intravenously using a double-blind randomized crossover protocol. Infants were chosen who had sustained hyperglycemia (150 mg/dl) and glucosuria (2+ Clinitest) requiring glucose infusion at a rate below 7 mg/kg/minute for more than 24 hours. Compared to the control glucose period, intravenous alimentation with a solution containing carbohydrate as 50% glucose and 50% galactose resulted in a 65% increase in total carbohydrate infusion rate, normalization of the blood glucose concentration, and decreased glucosuria. Blood galactose concentration averaged 15 mg/dl, and no clinical or biochemical evidence of galactose toxicity was noted.
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002239:Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005690:Galactose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005693:Galactosemias; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D006029:Glycosuria; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000379:methods*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005947:Glucose; D005690:Galactose