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Title: FREE GALACYTOSE CONTENT OF FRUITS AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE BABY FOODS: MORE FOODS TO CONSIDER FOR THE GALACTOSE-RESTRICTED DIET

Author
item GROPPER, SAREEN - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item WEESE, JEAN - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item WEST, PATRICIA - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Gross, Kenneth

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Galactosemia is one of a handful of inborn errors of metabolism that is tested for on many state newborn screens. The disorder results from the defective function of galactokinase, galactose 1 phosphate uridyl transferase, or uridine diphosphate galactose 4 epimerase. Treatment of galactosemia is best instituted during the first week of life and involves dietary galactose restriction. Infants with galactosemia typically receiv a low galactose infant formula to initially meet nutrient needs. At about four to six months of age, baby cereals are added to the diets. Then, at about six to eight months of age, baby fruit juices, and baby food fruits and vegetables are introduced into the diet. We previously examined Heinz, Gerber and BeechNut `One' or `First' baby food fruits and vegetables, containing only the fruit or vegetable and water. Baby foods designated as `Two' or `Second' baby foods differ from the `First' or `One' baby foods, whereby the latter are homogenized or pureed and the former are strained. Other differences, for example, may include changes in water content, and or the addition of more ingredients to the product. Whether these changes in turn affect the galactose content of the product is unknown; however, knowledge of the galactose content of these baby foods as well as other foods is imperative for the dietary planning of galactose restricted diets. The purpose of this study was to quantify the amount of soluble, digestible galactose (excluding polymeric forms of galactose) available in some commonly consumed fruits and in fruit and vegetable `Second' or `Two' baby foods.

Technical Abstract: Galactosemia is one of a handful of inborn errors of metabolism that is tested for on many state newborn screens. The disorder results from the defective function of galactokinase, galactose 1 phosphate uridyl transferase, or uridine diphosphate galactose 4 epimerase. Treatment of galactosemia is best instituted during the first week of life and involves dietary galactose restriction. Infants with galactosemia typically receiv a low galactose infant formula to initially meet nutrient needs. At about four to six months of age, baby cereals are added to the diets. Then, at about six to eight months of age, baby fruit juices, and baby food fruits and vegetables are introduced into the diet. We previously examined Heinz, Gerber and BeechNut `One' or `First' baby food fruits and vegetables, containing only the fruit or vegetable and water. Baby foods designated as `Two' or `Second' baby foods differ from the `First' or `One' baby foods, whereby the latter are homogenized or pureed and the former are strained. Other differences, for example, may include changes in water content, and or the addition of more ingredients to the product. Whether these changes in turn affect the galactose content of the product is unknown; however, knowledge of the galactose content of these baby foods as well as other foods is imperative for the dietary planning of galactose restricted diets. The purpose of this study was to quantify the amount of soluble, digestible galactose (excluding polymeric forms of galactose) available in some commonly consumed fruits and in fruit and vegetable `Second' or `Two' baby foods.