Phenylketonuria lacks what enzyme?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Phenylketonuria is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder primarily caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. This leads to reduced activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase, accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolites in the body, and the onset of the disease. Phenylketonuria is the most common congenital amino acid metabolism disorder. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by intellectual developmental delays, light skin and hair pigmentation, and a mousey urine odor. The incidence of this disease varies by ethnicity and region. In China, the incidence is approximately 1 in 11,000.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Phenylketonuria patients lack phenylalanine hydroxylase.

Phenylketonuria is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene, leading to reduced enzyme activity and resulting in the accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolic products in the body, causing the disease. Phenylketonuria is the most common congenital amino acid metabolism disorder, clinically presenting with intellectual developmental delays, lighter skin and hair pigmentation, and a musty urine odor. The disease is mainly caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene, leading to reduced enzyme activity.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Does phenylketonuria easily cause a cold?

Phenylketonuria does not easily cause a cold, as a cold is a type of infectious disease mainly caused by various pathogen infections and stimuli, leading to symptoms such as cough, fever, and runny nose. Phenylketonuria is a common amino acid metabolism disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme required for phenylalanine to convert into tyrosine, resulting in excessive excretion of phenylalanine in urine. This disease is a recessive hereditary disorder, which can lead to intellectual disability, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and pigment loss. Due to the lack of melanin, affected children often present with yellow hair, pale skin and sclera, and their urine has a mousy odor. They may also suffer from eczema, vomiting, and diarrhea. Phenylketonuria is one of the few treatable hereditary metabolic diseases, so it generally does not cause symptoms of a cold.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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How to determine if phenylketonuria is mild

Phenylketonuria severity is generally determined by clinical manifestations and blood phenylalanine concentration. Mild phenylketonuria is characterized by mild or asymptomatic intelligence, motor, and developmental delays, light hair and skin color, and a musty odor in urine and sweat. It includes clinical features such as seizures accompanied by abnormal mental and behavioral symptoms, with blood phenylalanine levels less than 120 to 360 micromoles per liter. This is primarily seen in a very small number of newborns or premature infants, or in cases where there is higher residual activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Does phenylketonuria require lifelong dietary control?

Theoretically, phenylketonuria requires lifelong dietary control. Phenylketonuria is caused by a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase in the metabolic pathway of phenylalanine, leading to disordered metabolism of phenylalanine in the liver. Phenylketonuria is the first genetic metabolic disease that can be managed through diet. Since natural foods all contain certain amounts of phenylalanine, once diagnosed, affected children should cease consuming natural diets and should be treated with a low-phenylalanine diet. Treatment with a low-phenylalanine formula should continue at least until the age of 12. When the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood is controlled at an ideal level, natural foods can gradually be reintroduced in small amounts. The reintroduction of food should still follow the principles of low protein and low phenylalanine. The types and amounts of food that each child can add vary individually and are related to the severity of the enzyme deficiency.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Does phenylketonuria require a lifetime of special milk consumption?

Phenylketonuria does not require a lifetime of special milk consumption. It is the first genetically inherited metabolic disorder that can be treated through dietary control. Once diagnosed with phenylketonuria, one must stop a natural diet and begin treatment with a low-phenylalanine diet. The low-phenylalanine milk formula should be consumed at least until the age of 12. When the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood is controlled within the ideal range, it is possible to appropriately add a small amount of natural diet, adhering to principles of low protein and low phenylalanine.