The Duarte Variant of galactosemia is characterized by which of the following?

The Duarte variant of galactosemia is characterized by reduced enzyme activity without symptoms, which aligns with the correct answer. Individuals with this variant typically have a milder form of galactosemia compared to classic galactosemia. They produce some functional galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT), but not at levels sufficient to fully metabolize galactose in the same way as individuals with normal enzyme activity. As a result, they usually do not exhibit the severe symptoms associated with classic galactosemia, such as feeding difficulties, liver dysfunction, or developmental delays. Instead, many individuals with the Duarte variant can lead healthy lives without requiring strict dietary restrictions, although monitoring is often recommended.

This nuanced understanding distinguishes the Duarte variant from other forms of galactosemia that typically present with more severe clinical manifestations or require dietary interventions.