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of Genetic Terms
Definitions for the genetic terms used on this page

The History of Newborn Phenylketonuria Screening in the United States
From Promoting Safe and Effective Genetic Testing in the United States

Learning About Phenylketonuria (PKU)

What is phenylketonuria (PKU)?

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited disorder of metabolism that causes an increase in the blood of a chemical known as phenylalanine. Phenylalanine comes from a person's diet and is used by the body to make proteins. Phenylalanine is found in all food proteins and in some artificial sweeteners. Without dietary treatment, phenylalanine can build up to harmful levels in the body, causing mental retardation and other serious problems.

Women who have high levels of phenylalanine during pregnancy are at high risk for having babies born with mental retardation, heart problems, small head size (microcephaly) and developmental delay. This is because the babies are exposed to their mother's very high levels of phenylalanine before they are born.

In the United States, PKU occurs in 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 15,000 newborn babies. Newborn screening has been used to detect PKU since the 1960's. As a result, the severe signs and symptoms of PKU are rarely seen.

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What are the symptoms of PKU?

Symptoms of PKU range from mild to severe. Severe PKU is called classic PKU. Infants born with classic PKU appear normal for the first few months after birth. However, without treatment with a low-phenylalanine diet, these infants will develop mental retardation and behavioral problems. Other common symptoms of untreated classic PKU include seizures, developmental delay, and autism. Boys and girls who have classic PKU may also have eczema of the skin and lighter skin and hair than their family members who do not have PKU.

Babies born with less severe forms of PKU (moderate or mild PKU) may have a milder degree of mental retardation unless treated with the special diet. If the baby has only a very slight degree of PKU, often called mild hyperphenylalaninemia, there may be no problems and the special dietary treatment may not be needed.

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How is PKU diagnosed?

PKU is usually diagnosed through newborn screening testing that is done shortly after birth on a blood sample (heel stick). However, PKU should be considered at any age in a person who has developmental delays or mental retardation. This is because, rarely, infants are missed by newborn screening programs.

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What is the treatment for PKU?

PKU is treated by limiting the amount of protein (that contains phenylalanine) in the diet. Treatment also includes using special medical foods as well as special low-protein foods and taking vitamins and minerals. People who have PKU need to follow this diet for their lifetime. It is especially important for women who have PKU to follow the diet throughout their childbearing years.

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Is PKU inherited?

PKU is inherited in families in an autosomal recessive pattern. Autosomal recessive inheritance means that a person has two copies of the gene that is altered. Usually, each parent of an individual who has PKU carries one copy of the altered gene. Since each parent also has a normal gene, they do not show signs or symptoms of PKU.

Gene alterations (mutations) in the PAH gene cause PKU. Mutations in the PAH gene cause low levels of an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. These low levels mean that phenylalanine from a person's diet cannot be metabolized (changed), so it builds up to toxic levels in the bloodstream and body. Having too much phenylalanine can cause brain damage unless diet treatment is started.

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NHGRI Clinical Research on PKU

Currently, NHGRI is not conducting clinical research on PKU. However, studies are currently underway [clinicaltrials.gov] in other institutes within the National Institutes of Health.

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Additional Resources for PKU

  • Phenylketonuria [nichd.nih.gov]
    From the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

  • Phenylketonuria [health.nih.gov]
    From the National Institutes of Health

  • Phenylketonuria [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
    From the National Center for Biotechnology Information

  • Phenylketonuria [nlm.nih.gov]
    From Medline Plus

  • Phenylketonuria [nlm.nih.gov]
    From Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia

  • Children's PKU Network [pkunetwork.org]
    Created to address the special needs and concerns of individuals with phenylketonuria and their families.

  • Cystic Fibrosis & Genetic Disorders Group [liv.ac.uk]
    The Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis & Genetic Disorders Review Group comprises an international network of health care professionals, researchers and consumers preparing, maintaining, and disseminating systematic reviews of randomised control trials in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders.

  • The Instituto Canguru - Group Specializing in Metabolic Disorders [instituticanguru.org]
    The Instituto Canguru - Group Specialized in Metabolic Disorders is a non - profit Civil Society Organization of Public Interest - Oscip, whose main mission is to disseminate knowledge of inherited metabolic disorders among health professionals and society in general. Em Português.

  • Michigan PKU & Associated Disorders, Inc. [michigan-pku.org]
    Provides information, helpful hints, resources, etc. for the Michigan PKU population.

  • Mid-Atlantic Connection for PKU and Allied Disorders [macpad.org]
    The mission of MACPAD is to enrich the lives of individuals and families of individuals with inherited metabolic disorders by disseminating information, providing supportive activities and encouraging the exchange of ideas.

  • Ryan's PKU Foundation [ryanspkufoundation.org]
    Ryan's PKU Foundation of Virginia is dedicated to providing a support network to individuals with PKU and their families; Promoting PKU wellness through increasing public awareness, developing and distributing educational materials, supporting research and sharing information among families.

  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Deficiency [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
    From GeneTests - which provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.

  • Phenylketonuria [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]
    Information from the Genetics and Rare Diseases Information Center.

  • Finding Reliable Health Information Online
    A listing of information and links for finding comprehensive genetics health information online.

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Last Updated: August 15, 2012