Phenylketonuria positive means what?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on January 05, 2025
00:00
00:00

Phenylketonuria is an autosomal recessive inherited disease and is the most common congenital amino acid metabolism disorder. Generally, if the activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase in the body is reduced, or if there is a deficiency in its coenzyme tetrahydrobiopterin, the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood and tissues will increase, and phenylpyruvic acid, phenylacetic acid, and phenyllactic acid in the urine will also increase. Generally, newborns may not show any special clinical features at first. Often, the first test results may be high due to maternal influence or dietary factors, which can cause these elevated indicators in newborns. If the second test is normal, there usually isn’t a significant problem. A third test can also be performed; if the third test still shows no issues, then phenylketonuria can be ruled out. Generally, if phenylketonuria is diagnosed, it should be treated promptly and properly.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 4sec home-news-image

Is phenylketonuria often misdiagnosed?

Phenylketonuria belongs to congenital hereditary metabolic disorders and is caused by enzyme deficiencies in the phenylalanine metabolic pathway. Misdiagnosis of phenylketonuria is not common; if the disease develops, meaning that the child has typical clinical manifestations, it is relatively easy to diagnose. However, once a child exhibits the typical clinical manifestations of phenylketonuria such as blood phenylalanine levels, by the time of diagnosis the child may already have varying degrees of neurological damage, meaning the child might already have intellectual disabilities. Therefore, in such cases, we cannot rely solely on clinical symptoms for diagnosis but should instead carry out newborn disease screening promptly after birth. By diagnosing and treating before any clinical symptoms appear, we can prevent the occurrence of neurological complications, allowing the child to grow and develop like a normal child.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
37sec home-news-image

Can phenylketonuria eat corn?

People with phenylketonuria can eat corn. Phenylketonuria is a hereditary metabolic disease that can be treated through dietary control. Once diagnosed with phenylketonuria, one must stop a natural diet and switch to a low-phenylalanine diet. When the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood drops to an ideal level, natural foods can be gradually reintroduced in small amounts, but the diet must still adhere to low-protein and low-phenylalanine standards. Corn mainly consists of starch and does not contain phenylalanine, so individuals with phenylketonuria can eat corn.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
52sec home-news-image

Do adults with phenylketonuria need to eat special food?

Phenylketonuria may not necessarily require a special diet in adulthood. It is the first genetic metabolic disorder that can be treated through dietary control. Natural foods all contain a certain amount of phenylalanine, so once children with phenylketonuria are diagnosed, they should stop their natural diet and instead be given a low-phenylalanine diet. Low-phenylalanine formula treatment should continue at least until the age of 12. When the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood is controlled at an ideal level, a gradual addition of natural foods can be made. Larger infants and children can add foods such as milk, porridge, noodles, and eggs. However, these added foods should still primarily be low in protein and low in phenylalanine.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
1min 2sec home-news-image

Does phenylketonuria cause liver dysfunction?

Phenylketonuria generally does not cause abnormalities in liver function. Phenylketonuria is a common amino acid metabolic disorder, mainly due to a deficiency of an enzyme in the phenylalanine metabolic pathway, preventing phenylalanine from being converted into tyrosine. This leads to the accumulation of phenylalanine and its keto acids, which are then excreted in large amounts in the urine. This disease is a relatively common genetic amino acid metabolic defect. Once diagnosed with phenylketonuria, the main treatment is a dietary therapy, which includes a low-phenylalanine diet. It is important during the upbringing of children to ensure that the child's living environment is quiet and comfortable. Therefore, in terms of prevention of the disease, it is important to avoid consanguineous marriage, conduct newborn screening, and focus on early detection and early treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
39sec home-news-image

Is phenylketonuria characterized only by pale facial skin?

Phenylketonuria is a common amino acid metabolic disorder. It is primarily due to the deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase, which prevents the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. These can manifest as intellectual disability, neuropsychiatric symptoms, eczema, skin scratching, pigment loss, and a musty odor. The skin whiteness mentioned is not merely facial pallor; it affects the entire skin because the benefits of tyrosine are reduced, leading to decreased melanin synthesis. Consequently, the hair of affected children can also be lighter and tend to be brown.