Patient's question:
My friend's sister has phenylketonuria and has been receiving treatment since childhood. Her condition is currently stable, but now she wants to have children and is already pregnant. It's urgent to consult on what foods would be beneficial for both her and her child. Hello, what can people with phenylketonuria eat?Doctor's answer:
This disease is an autosomal recessive, intergenerational inherited metabolic disorder. It is not possible to eat foods with a particularly high content of phenylalanine. Foods high in protein are also high in phenylalanine, so meat, eggs, dairy products, and beans should be avoided or consumed in very small quantities. After a period of time, adjustments should be made based on the results of phenylalanine tests. Generally, patients with phenylketonuria need lifelong dietary control. As they grow older, they get used to it. Phenylketonuria is a congenital metabolic disease caused by a chromosomal mutation that leads to a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase in the liver, resulting in phenylalanine metabolism disorder. Currently, there is no specific medication for treatment. The low-phenylalanine diet is the only method for treating classic PKU, and the goal of treatment is to prevent brain damage. It is essential to pay attention to diet and persist.