[Screening of newborns for inborn errors of galactose metabolism. Methods and results]

Three inborn errors of galactose metabolism as known today. Only two of them cause illness: the deficiencies of galactokinase and of galactose-l-phosphate uridyltransferase. Both can be detected through mass screening of newborns and are amenable to a simple and successful dietary treatment. Mass screening of newborns for disorders of galactose metabolism can be performed efficiently and inexpensively if it is incorporated in the general newborn screening program.