Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is a condition that affects about 1 in 15000 people. Those with PKU lack of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which allows the body to turn interfered in the tyrosine amino acid phenylalanine. Tyrosine helps to synthesize proteins, and where it is not present, the results can be quite devastating.
Newborns are routinely tested for phenylketonuria, because they have the condition, which is hereditary recessive, they must be on a special diet that is very low in phenylalanine. Phenylalanine unfortunately occurs in most protein, such as eggs, nuts, meat, dairy products and breast or milk. Phenylalanine is also present in most of infant formula. If the child is eating these foods with PKU, he or she will develop irreversible mental retardation, resulting in mandatory testing.
Screening for phenylketonuria is quite simple, but a little hard on the lookout for new mothers. The newborn heel is pricked, and then a small amount of blood is extracted and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Laboratory results usually come back in a few days, as a result of dietary restrictions are essential to the newborn and the child or adult with phenylketonuria.
It should be noted that many products clearly whether or not they contain phenylalanines. You can see the labels on soft drinks, as well as on the packaging of nuts and cheese in most cases. As avoid foods rich in protein, most responsible for starch foods such as pasta and potatoes should be avoided, so that the diet is limited. To give the body proteins it requires, the protein formulas have been specifically developed for those with PKU so that they can grow and develop normally.
When women become pregnant with phenylketonuria, the presence of phenylketonuria in the fetal environment is linked to birth defects of various types. It is especially important for pregnant women suffering from phenylketonuria seek the advice of a high-risk obstetrician. The most important thing is to adhere strictly to a PKU diet during pregnancy to prevent birth defects in the fetus.
Since the diet of the person affected by PKU is restrictive, there are many companies that make now PKU foods that are very low or absent in phenylalanines. These products, as substitutes for eggs, ice cream substitutes, and various soups or spaghetti sauces, as well as low-protein bread and pasta, may help the person with phenylketonuria have a relatively normal diet. However, the cost of these foods can be expensive, especially for the more fanciful substitutions.
With the right plan, the person with phenylketonuria can expect to live a long and healthy life. His food choices can be limited, but PKU usually cause no symptoms or other complications as the person ages.
Newborns are routinely tested for phenylketonuria, because they have the condition, which is hereditary recessive, they must be on a special diet that is very low in phenylalanine. Phenylalanine unfortunately occurs in most protein, such as eggs, nuts, meat, dairy products and breast or milk. Phenylalanine is also present in most of infant formula. If the child is eating these foods with PKU, he or she will develop irreversible mental retardation, resulting in mandatory testing.
Screening for phenylketonuria is quite simple, but a little hard on the lookout for new mothers. The newborn heel is pricked, and then a small amount of blood is extracted and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Laboratory results usually come back in a few days, as a result of dietary restrictions are essential to the newborn and the child or adult with phenylketonuria.
It should be noted that many products clearly whether or not they contain phenylalanines. You can see the labels on soft drinks, as well as on the packaging of nuts and cheese in most cases. As avoid foods rich in protein, most responsible for starch foods such as pasta and potatoes should be avoided, so that the diet is limited. To give the body proteins it requires, the protein formulas have been specifically developed for those with PKU so that they can grow and develop normally.
When women become pregnant with phenylketonuria, the presence of phenylketonuria in the fetal environment is linked to birth defects of various types. It is especially important for pregnant women suffering from phenylketonuria seek the advice of a high-risk obstetrician. The most important thing is to adhere strictly to a PKU diet during pregnancy to prevent birth defects in the fetus.
Since the diet of the person affected by PKU is restrictive, there are many companies that make now PKU foods that are very low or absent in phenylalanines. These products, as substitutes for eggs, ice cream substitutes, and various soups or spaghetti sauces, as well as low-protein bread and pasta, may help the person with phenylketonuria have a relatively normal diet. However, the cost of these foods can be expensive, especially for the more fanciful substitutions.
With the right plan, the person with phenylketonuria can expect to live a long and healthy life. His food choices can be limited, but PKU usually cause no symptoms or other complications as the person ages.
