NBS-Galactosemia: Booking, Price, and Results
About NBS-Galactosemia: Booking, Price, and Results
| Find | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | NBS Galactosemia, Galactosemia newborn screening, GALT Test, Galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase Test |
| Sample Type | Capillary blood (heel prick) collected as a dried blood spot (DBS) on a Guthrie card |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | Within 3 days |
| Recommended For | Newborns of all genders, ideally tested 24 to 72 hours after birth |
| Price | Starting at ₹6,400 |
What is an NBS-Galactosemia Test?
The NBS-Galactosemia test is a newborn screening test that checks whether a baby can properly process galactose, a simple sugar found in breast milk and formula (manufactured baby milk). It is part of routine newborn care and is usually done within the first few days of life. The test uses a tiny dried blood spot collected from the baby's heel. It is also known as the GALT test or Galactosemia Newborn Screening.
What Does an NBS-Galactosemia Test Measure?
This test looks at specific chemicals (markers) in the baby's blood to assess how well the body handles galactose. The following parameters may be measured:
| Parameter | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Total galactose (galactose + galactose-1-phosphate) | Define if galactose (milk sugar) is higher than normal in the blood |
| GALT enzyme activity (galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase) | Measures how well this enzyme converts galactose into energy |
| Erythrocyte galactose-1-phosphate | Checks the level of galactose-1-phosphate inside red blood cells |
Why is an NBS-Galactosemia Test Done?
This test is a standard part of newborn care. It helps identify babies who may have a condition that, if not detected early, can cause serious health problems within days of birth.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
While the NBS-Galactosemia test procedure is typically done routinely for all newborns, certain symptoms in a baby may increase the urgency. These include:
- Vomiting after feeds
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Increased size of liver (hepatomegaly)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Unusual sleepiness or lethargy
- Refusal to feed
- Seizures
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The NBS-Galactosemia test can help identify several metabolic conditions, including:
- Classic galactosemia (GALT deficiency) is the most common and most serious form
- Galactosemia type II (galactokinase deficiency), which mainly causes cataracts (clouding of the eye lens)
- Galactosemia type III (galactose epimerase deficiency), which may cause cataracts, delayed growth, and liver problems
- Duarte galactosemia, a milder form with reduced GALT enzyme activity
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The NBS- Galactosemia test procedure is simple and quick. Here is what parents should know before the test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The baby should have had at least 24 hours of milk feeding before the sample is collected, as this helps ensure accurate results.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following tips will help the collection go smoothly and ensure a good sample:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including the baby's symptoms, birth details, feeding history, and any relevant family history, as this is required for the test
- Make sure the baby has been feeding normally on breast milk or standard formula for at least 24 hours before the test
- Keep the baby warm before and during the procedure to encourage blood flow to the heels
- Do not apply lotions, creams, or other substances to the baby's feet before the sample is taken, as these can interfere with the blood spot
- If the baby was born outside a hospital, contact your healthcare provider or the nearest hospital to arrange screening.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample for the NBS-Galactosemia test is collected as a dried blood spot. Here is how it works:
- The baby's heel is wiped clean with an alcohol swab and allowed to air dry completely.
- A healthcare professional makes a very small, quick pinprick on the baby's heel. The baby may cry briefly, but the discomfort passes quickly and leaves no mark.
- A few small drops of blood are collected and placed onto the printed circles on a special filter paper card, called a Guthrie card.
- The blood spots are allowed to dry fully before the card is sealed and labelled.
- The completed Guthrie card is sent to the laboratory at ambient temperature (18 to 28°C) for analysis using spectrophotometry.
- A small bandage is placed on the heel to protect the site.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors may affect the reliability of the test result:
- Exposure of the blood spot card to heat or humidity during storage or transit can cause the GALT enzyme to break down
- A recent blood transfusion in the baby may produce a false negative result for up to four months
- Feeding with lactose-free formula or total parenteral nutrition (giving food directly into the vein, bypassing the stomach) before the test
- Inadequate drying of the blood spot before the card is dispatched
- Testing before the baby has had 24 hours of milk feeding
Understanding Your NBS-Galactosemia Results
NBS Galactosemia Results is the result of a newborn screening test to check whether a baby’s body can process milk sugar (galactose) correctly.
| Parameter | Reference Range (Normal) |
|---|---|
| Total galactose (galactose + galactose-1-phosphate) | Less than 5 to 10 mg/dL (it varies by laboratory, ranging from 5 to 20 mg/dL) |
| GALT enzyme activity | 20 to 35 μmol/hr/g Hb |
| Erythrocyte galactose-1-phosphate | Less than 1 mg/dL |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your baby's age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain circumstances can affect how results are read:
- If a baby has had a blood transfusion, the donor blood may conceal the baby's true enzyme level for up to 4 months, and this may lead to a falsely normal result.
- Babies on lactose-free formula or IV feeding may also have normal test results, as they don't get milk sugar and therefore the test indicators stay low.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The following general points apply once a diagnosis is confirmed and a specialist is involved:
- A diet that eliminates all milk, dairy products, and other galactose-containing foods is the foundation of managing diagnosed galactosemia.
- Calcium supplements are typically recommended for those following a galactose-free diet, as dairy is removed.
- Regular follow-up with a metabolic specialist helps monitor the baby's growth and development over time.
Lupin Diagnostics NBS-Galactosemia Price and Home Collection
The NBS- Galactosemia test at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹6,400, and home sample collection is available. A certified professional can visit your home to collect the dried blood spot sample.
| City | Approximate price(₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 6400 |
| CHENNAI | 6400 |
| HYDERABAD | 6400 |
| KOLKATA | 6400 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 6400 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book the NBS-Galactosemia test online:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for the NBS- Galactosemia test across multiple cities in India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced staff. Digital reports are accessible via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Galactosemia is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly break down galactose, a sugar found in milk. If not caught early, it can quickly be a serious problem, leading to liver damage and infection. The NBS Galactosemia test will help catch it early, so treatment can start before symptoms worsen.
The test is ideally performed between 24 and 72 hours after birth, once the baby has started milk feeding. Testing too early, before feeding begins, may affect the accuracy of the result.
A healthcare professional makes a tiny pinprick on the baby's heel and collects a few drops of blood onto a special filter paper card. The card is sent to the laboratory for analysis. The procedure takes only a few minutes.
Yes. Because the test measures GALT enzyme activity in red blood cells, a recent blood transfusion can introduce donor red blood cells with normal enzyme activity. This may produce a false negative result for up to four months after the transfusion.
A positive screen means the result is outside the expected range and needs further investigation. A doctor will arrange confirmatory testing, which may include detailed enzyme analysis and genetic testing. Dietary changes are typically started promptly while confirmatory results are awaited.
Classic galactosemia affects approximately 1 in 30,000 to 60,000 newborns. The other forms, type II and type III, are less common. Type II is estimated to affect fewer than 1 in 100,000 newborns.
NBS-Galactosemia: Booking, Price, and Results
