| galactokinase deficiency galactosaemia | An autosomal recessive disorder resulting in an accumulation of galactose and galactitol. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| magnesium deficiency | Can occur due to inadequate intake or impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium. Low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia) is often associated with low calcium (hypocalcaemia) and low potassium (hypokalaemia). Deficiency of magnesium causes increased irritability of the nervous system with tetany (spasms of the hands and feet, muscular twitching and cramps, spasm of the larynx, etc.). According to the national academy of sciences, the recommended dietary allowances of magnesium are 420 milligrams per day for men and 320 milligrams per day for women. The upper limit of magnesium as supplements is 350 milligrams daily, in addition to the magnesium from food and water. (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucocerebrosidase deficiency | Causes Gaucher's disease (type 1), a progressive genetic disease due to an enzyme defect. The enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, is needed to break down the chemical glucocerebroside. The enzyme defect in persons with Gaucher's disease (GD) leads to the accumulation of glucocerebroside in the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. The most common early sign is enlargement of the spleen (located in the upper left abdomen). Other signs include low red blood cell counts (anaemia), a decrease in blood clotting cells (platelets), increased pigmentation of the skin, and a yellow fatty spot on the white of the eye (a pinguecula). Severe bone involvement can lead to pain and collapse of the bone of the hips, shoulders, and spine. The GD gene is on chromosome 1. The disease is a recessive trait. Both parents carry a GD gene and transmit it for their child with the disease. The parents' risk of a child with the disease is 1 in 4 with each pregnancy. This type of Gaucher's disease (noncerebral juvenile Gaucher's disease) is most common in Ashkenazi Jews (of European origin) and is the most common genetic disease among Jews in the United States. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vitamin a deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin a in the diet, characterised by night blindness and other ocular manifestations such as dryness of the conjunctiva and later of the cornea (xerophthalmia). Vitamin a deficiency is a very common problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries as a consequence of famine or shortages of vitamin a-rich foods. In the united states it is found among the urban poor, the elderly, alcoholics, and patients with malabsorption. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vitamin B12 deficiency | A form of anaemia (low red blood cell counts) that results when the bone marrow fails to produce adequate numbers of red blood cells due to a deficiency in vitamin B12. Intrinsic factor, necessary for normal B12 absorption, may be the underlying cause for B12 deficiency if is not produced in the gastric glands (in the stomach). (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin b 12 deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin b 12 in the diet, characterised by megaloblastic anaemia. Since vitamin b 12 is not present in plants, humans have obtained their supply from animal products, from multivitamin supplements in the form of pills, and as additives to food preparations. A wide variety of neuropsychiatric abnormalities is also seen in vitamin b 12 deficiency and appears to be due to an undefined defect involving myelin synthesis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vitamin B6 deficiency | Member of the water soluble B vitamin group. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, is active in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is also a necessary part of haemoglobin synthesis. B6 deficiency results in retarded growth and a peripheral neuropathy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin C deficiency | A disease due to the deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Symptoms include weakness, anaemia, spongy gums and mucocutaneous bleeding (mouth ulcers). Synonym: scurvy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin D deficiency | A vitamin D deficiency disease of infancy or childhood with a disturbance of the normal process of ossification and bone growth. Often manifests with bone deformity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin e deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin e in the diet, characterised by posterior column and spinocerebellar tract abnormalities, areflexia, ophthalmoplegia, and disturbances of gait, proprioception, and vibration. In premature infants vitamin e deficiency is associated with haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytosis, oedema, intraventricular haemorrhage, and increasing risk of retrolental fibroplasia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. An apparent inborn error of vitamin e metabolism, named familial isolated vitamin e deficiency, has recently been identified. (cecil textbook of medicine, 19th ed, p1181) (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucose-6-dehydrogenase deficiency | <biochemistry> An inherited condition that results in a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Particular drugs (sulphonamides) can exacerbate this problem. The result is haemolytic anaemia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cellular immunity deficiency syndrome | <syndrome> A syndrome marked by increased susceptibility to infection, especially to viral infection, associated with defective functioning of the mechanism responsible for acquired immunity of the cell-mediated kind. See: immunodeficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency | A deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme important for maintaining cellular concentrations of reduced nucleotides. Deficiency of this enzyme is the commonest disease-causing enzyme defect in humans affecting an estimated 400 million people. The gene for this enzyme is on the X chromosome and there are various polymorphic forms. Males with the enzyme deficiency develop haemolytic anaemia when red blood cells are exposed to oxidant drugs such as the antimalarial primaquine, the sulfonamide antibiotics or sulfones, naphthalene moth balls, or fava beans. It can also cause anaemia of the newborn, and chronic nonspherocytic haemolytic anaemia. Inheritance: X-linked. (12 Sep 2002) |
| vitamin k deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin k in the diet, characterised by an increased tendency to haemorrhage (haemorrhagic diathesis). Such bleeding episodes may be particularly severe in newborn infants. (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucosephosphate dehydrogenase deficiency | A disease-producing enzyme deficiency subject to many variants, some of which cause a deficiency of enzyme activity in erythrocytes, leading to haemolytic anaemia. (12 Dec 1998) |