Determination of Galactose in Blood

A modification of the orcinol procedure of Bruckner has been developed to permit rapid analysis of galactose in blood. The method is sensitive to increased amounts of galactose in blood filtrates, but accurate estimations of low concentrations are diffi-cult because of interfering substances. Calculation of results has been simplified by the use of constants. Their derivations are given. P REVId)US INVESTIGATION (bile in this hospital requiring repeated ga-lactose tolerance tests on a family with 3 galactosemic nmembers (6, 7) denmoimstrated the desirability of sinmplification or modification of the tests available for use in infants. We questioumed the possibility of variations iim the umormal galactose tolerance curve with age amid sug-gested the inadvisability of depending, at all age levels, on the com-mommly used “galactose curve of the normal individual. ” We hoped to develop an accurate, clinically feasible test making use of materials and equipment available in the routine laboratory. Thus we were prompted to investigate the orcinol procedure of Bruckner (1) and receumt modifications of that nmethod by Fisher et at. (2). At the time this experimental work was completed, assays of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (3-5) were still too complex and time consuming for routine hospital work. Recemitly Schwarz (9) published a diagmmostic procedure for galactosemia which eliminates the hazards attendant upon giving large doses of galactose to patients with the acute form of this disease. We believe that a report of our experiences with the more direct approach would be of value