[Mutation P28T in gene GK1 as the cause of a familial galactokinase deficiency]. / La mutación P28T del gen GK1 como causa de una deficiencia familiar de galactoquinasa.

OBJECTIVE/METHOD: To alert about galactokinase deficiency (GK) as a possible cause of infantile cataracts, and even presenile cataracts in heterozygous carriers. Diagnosis by enzyme and galactitol determination would lead to the introduction of a galactose-free diet which completely prevents the damage. RESULT/CONCLUSIONS: We report on a highly consanguineous Spanish family of gypsy ethnia, with three females of different sibships affected by GK deficiency. The deficiency was due to their homozygosis for mutation P28T in gene GK1. P28T mutation in european Romani gypsies, is also present in Spanish gypsies. It is important to bear in mind that GK deficiency may be an important cause of blindness in that endogamous group.

La mutación P28T del gen GK1 como causa de una deficiencia familiar de galactoquinasa / Mutation P28T in gene GK1 as the cause of a familial galactokinase deficiency

Objetivo/Método: Alertar sobre la deficiencia de galactoquinasa (GK), como posible causa de cataratas infantiles, e incluso cataratas preseniles en los heterozigotes portadores. El diagnóstico mediante determinación del enzima y del galactitol, permitiría la introducción de una dieta exenta de galactosa que previene totalmente el daño. Resultado/Conclusiones: Presentamos una familia española de etnia gitana con alto grado de consanguinidad con tres hembras, de fratrias distintas, afectas de deficiencia de GK. La deficiencia es debida a su homozigosis para la mutación P28T del gen GK1. P28T, con efecto fundador en gitanos Romani europeos, está también presente en los gitanos españoles. Por ello hay que tener en cuenta que la deficiencia de GK puede ser causa importante de ceguera en dicha población (AU)

Objective/Method: To alert about galactokinase deficiency (GK) as a possible cause of infantile cataracts, and even presenile cataracts in heterozygous carriers. Diagnosis by enzyme and galactitol determination would lead to the introduction of a galactose-free diet which completely prevents the damage. Result/Conclusions: We report on a highly consanguineous Spanish family of gypsy ethnia, with three females of different sibships affected by GK deficiency. The deficiency was due to their homozygosis for mutation P28T in gene GK1. P28T mutation in european Romani gypsies, is also present in Spanish gypsies. It is important to bear in mind that GK deficiency may be an important cause of blindness in that endogamous group (AU)

[Omphalopagus conjoined twins with successful surgical separation (author's transl)]. / Separación quirúrgica con supervivencia de dos gemelas siamesas onfalópagos.

The authors present an observation of omphalopagus conjoined twins with successful separation. They comment on the etiopathogenic factors, obstetrical problems, investigation of the extent of the union and operative timing.