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Treatment considerations for phenylketonuria should not be carelessly ignored

After treatment, patients on a low phenylalanine diet need to have their blood phenylalanine pku treatment monitored to keep it within the ideal range for their...

Mar 23,2022 | Donna

After treatment, patients on a low phenylalanine diet need to have their blood phenylalanine pku treatment monitored to keep it within the ideal range for their age to meet their growth and developmental needs.

Overtreatment can lead to phenylalanine deficiency, resulting in lethargy, anorexia, anemia, diarrhea, and even death.

The amount of phenylalanine tolerated by each child varies, so the diet should be adjusted according to the actual condition of the child, and the treatment should continue at least until the maturity of youthful development.

If the parents fully understand the principles of treatment and the diet control is more reasonable, the child's intellectual development is often normal; on the contrary, even if treated early, the patient still has sequelae.

After the treatment, blood should be collected regularly to monitor the blood phenylalanine concentration, so that the blood phenylalanine concentration can be controlled within a desirable range

After starting special formula treatment, blood phenylalanine concentration should be measured every 3 d, and timely diet and natural food should be taken.

After metabolic control is stabilized, phenylalanine monitoring can be adjusted appropriately: <1 year old, once a week; 1-12 years old, once every 2 weeks to 1 month; over 12 years old, once every 13 months.

Can you eat potatoes on a PKU diet?

The goal of a PKU diet is to reduce your intake of phenylalanine-rich foods like potatoes and cereals while avoiding protein-rich meals like meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Has PKU an impact on intelligence?

Intellectual impairment and significantly reduced IQ are typical outcomes of untreated PKU [7,8]. However, people with PKU typically have IQs in the average range [9] with early identification and therapy to minimize dietary Phe intake.

What occurs if PKU is not treated?

If PKU is not treated, symptoms in children with the condition might include behavioral issues, seizures, and severe intellectual and developmental difficulties. Without a particular diet, adults with PKU may experience unpredictable moods2 and take longer to comprehend information.