Patient's question:
A while ago, my child went for a health check-up and was found to have a disease called phenylketonuria. Currently, they are taking medication to treat it. However, I heard from one of my friends that diet is very important for people with this condition, and some foods should not be eaten randomly. So, I would like to learn how patients with phenylketonuria can manage their dietary therapy?Doctor's answer:
Once a baby is diagnosed with phenylketonuria, the primary treatment is a low-phenylalanine diet, which controls the concentration of phenylalanine between 0.24 and 0.6 millimoles per liter. In the early stages, low-phenylalanine formula or hydrolyzed protein can be used. Once the baby starts receiving solid foods, the diet is mainly based on rice, noodles, potatoes, vegetables, and Chinese yam, with appropriate amounts of fruits. However, animal proteins, dairy products, and legumes should be avoided as much as possible. Long-term treatment is generally required for better outcomes, primarily to prevent permanent neurological delays in the child.