Patient's question:
My son was born a month ago. When he was born, a thorough physical examination revealed that everything was fine. However, it hasn't been long since we discovered that he actually has phenylketonuria. It is said that this condition cannot be cured, so we only hope he can be a little more comfortable. Hello, is phenylketonuria treatable in a one-month-old baby?Doctor's answer:
Phenylketonuria is an inherited metabolic disease that affects the breakdown of phenylalanine. Once contracted, this condition cannot be cured but can only be managed by alleviating symptoms, requiring a diet low in phenylalanine. Regular hospital visits to measure phenylalanine levels are necessary, as elevated levels can have a significant impact on the child's health, particularly on nerve cells, potentially leading to intellectual disability.