Delay of liver maturation as a cause of transient neonatal galactosemia.

BACKGROUND: Because a large amount of serum alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) is synthesized in the liver of the fetus or premature newborn, high concentrations or delayed degradation of serum alpha-FP during the neonatal period may reflect hepatic immaturity.
METHODS: In order to evaluate the relationship between transient neonatal galactosemia and delay of liver maturation, the concentration and half-life of serum alpha-FP during the neonatal period were measured in patients with transient galactosemia and in normal neonates.
RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the serum concentration of alpha-FP between normal and galactosemic patients less than 1 month of age. However, the half-life of serum alpha-FP was significantly longer in galactosemic patients between 15 and 60 days of age compared with age-matched normal neonates.
CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we hypothesize that delay of liver maturation during the neonatal period, especially during the first 2 months after birth, can be a cause of transient neonatal galactosemia.