Treatment



SPECIAL PKU DIET
Affected individuals should avoid foods high in protein such as:
·         Chicken
·         Milk
·         Cheese
·         Meat
·         Fish
·         Soya Beans
·         Pork
·         Chocolate
·         Nuts
·         Beans
·         Beer

Foods that have aspartame, artificial sweetener, should be avoided such as diet sodas as aspartame releases phenylalanine when digested.

Even low protein food such as fruits, vegetables and desserts should be limited.

A diet with low-protein rice, pasta and cracker is usually recommended for with PKU.

Newborns that have PKU are still able to get their daily requirements through a special formula, made especially for babies with PKU, which is phenylalanine-free since they are unable to drink breast milk as well as regular infant formula which have phenylalanine. For older children and adults, they too are able to take a special protein powder supplement which is, of course, phenylalanine-free. It should be divided between meals.

6 comments:

  1. Fiona8 January 2014 at 23:26

    Fiona Lim: The types of food to avoid were stated clearly!
    However, am I right to say that there are no drugs to cure phenylketonuria currently?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thirteenave10 January 2014 at 15:24

      You are absolutely right. However, people with PKU are recommended to follow a special diet which helps to improve their physical and mental health. The diet include a special amino acid formula and food with low proteins that provides the essential amino acid needed by the body

      Delete
  2. Kaitlin20 January 2014 at 21:59

    Hi!
    As phenylalanine is one of the 9 essential amino acids, wouldn't it be a problem to have a diet completely free of it? Or do patients take in just enough phenylalanine for protein synthesis?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thirteenave20 January 2014 at 22:14

      Hello Hao Yi :D

      They are actually not completely free from phenylalanine. They still need it but at the right amount that the body needs. This diet is just to prevent excessive amount of phenylalanine present in the body.

      Delete
  3. Lydia Lau and Janice Lai21 January 2014 at 12:34

    Hello!!

    So the treatment for phenylketonuria only consist of food? :) Since it is a mutation on the chromosome, are there people who are looking into gene therapy to cure this disease?

    Thank You :)
    -Janice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thirteenave3 February 2014 at 17:25

      Yes, in fact, gene therapy is now in the pre-clinical stage. So far, gene therapy were able to cure PKU in mice. Unfortunately, the effect did not persist as neutralising antibodies are acting against the viral vectors. As for non-viral vectors, they are still looking into the prolong expression of the PAH.

      Delete

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