Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain metabolites in galactosemia

Brain edema may occur in infants with galactosemia. and has been associated with accumulation of galactitol. Proton magnetic resonance spectra were ob tained from 12 patients (four newly diagnosed neonates and eight patients o n galactose-restricted diets, age range 1.7-47 years) and control subjects to measure brain galactitol levels in vivo and correlate them with urinary galactitol excretion. The results demonstrate that a markedly elevated brai n galactitol level may be present only in newborn infants with galactosemia who exhibit massive urinary galactitol excretion.