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Galactokinase deficiency: a treatable cause of bilateral cataracts
  1. Catarina Cordeiro,
  2. Paula Garcia,
  3. Dalila Coelho and
  4. Mónica Oliva
  1. Departamento Pediátrico - Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
  1. Correspondence to Dr Catarina Cordeiro; ana_catarina_cordeiro{at}hotmail.com

Abstract

Congenital cataract can be caused by several systemic diseases and differential diagnosis should be done between infections, genetic or metabolic diseases. We present a case of a 12-month-old girl with bilateral nuclear cataracts that was referred for investigation. Since she did not present a family history of congenital cataracts or metabolic diseases, and her physical examination was normal, a systemic evaluation was performed. Biochemical studies disclosed abnormal galactose metabolism signs. The diagnosis of galactokinase (GALK1) deficiency was considered and the study of the GALK1 gene allowed identifying a pathogenic genetic variant and a predictably pathogenic missense mutation, previously not described. Dietary measures were imposed with a good evolution.

  • congenital disorders
  • ophthalmology
  • diet

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Footnotes

  • Contributors CC managed the patient, developed the idea for the article, collected clinical data, performed the literature search and wrote the article. PG and DC managed the patient and were involved in critical revision of the manuscript. MO developed the idea for the article and was involved in critical revision of the manuscript.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.