Further observations in a case of uridine diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase deficiency with a severe clinical...

The red-cell concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and uridine diphosphate galactose have been studied in relation to dietary galactose in a case of uridine diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase deficiency (McKusick 23035). Uridine diphosphate galactose accumulates rapidly in response to very small amounts of galactose but the concentration of galactose-1-phosphate increases proportionately to galactose intake. The significance of the observation is discussed with respect to the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease.