What is PKu?

pku or phenylketonuria is a condition that affects about 1 in 15,000 people. Those with PKU lack enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which allows the body to change phenylalanine into amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosin helps the body synthesize proteins and where it is not present, the results can be quite devastating. Newborns are commonly checked on PKU, because if they have a condition that is inherited, they must be on a special diet that is very low phenylalanine. Unfortunately, phenylalanine occurs in most proteins such as eggs, nuts, meat and breasts or milk milk. Phenylalanine is also present in most infant formulas. If a child with PKu eats these meals, it develops an irreversible mental retardation and is therefore compulsory testing. The newborn heel is written, then a small amount of blood is squeezed and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The ends of the laboratory usually return within a few days, because monitoring dietary restrictions are essential for newborns and a child or an adult with a PKu.

One notices that many products clearly state whether they contain phenylalanins. In most cases you can see such labels on soda as well as wrapped nuts and cheese. In addition to avoiding protein -rich foods, most of the foods loaded on starch, such as potatoes and pasta, should also be avoided, so the diet is limited. In order for the body to be necessary by the necessary protein it needs, protein patterns have been specially developed for those with PKU so that they can grow and develop normally.

When women get pregnant with PKU, the presence of a pku in a fetal environment is associated with congenital defects of various types. It is particularly important that pregnant women with PKU look for advice of a high -risk obstetrician. The most important is the strict adherence to the PKu during pregnancy to prevent fetal innate defects.

Because the diet of a person affected PKu is restrictive, there are many companies that now produce PK foodsU that have very low or completely missing phenylalanins. These products, such as replacing eggs, replace ice cream and various soups or spaghetti soups, as well as low proteins and pasta, can help a person with PKU have a relatively normal diet. However, the cost of such food can be expensive, especially for more fantasy substitutions.

With the right diet, a person with a PKU can expect to live a long and healthy life. Its choice of food can be limited, but usually does not cause any other symptoms or complications because the person ages.