Patient's question:
A friend of mine had a baby who was diagnosed with phenylketonuria right after birth. It's said that people with this condition need to be particularly careful about their diet. My friend wants to visit, and I was wondering what kind of formula does a baby with phenylketonuria drink?Doctor's answer:
Generally, screening is performed after a child is born. Infants who are diagnosed with phenylketonuria can only consume specially formulated low-phenylalanine formula, and sometimes they even need to purchase this formula from abroad. As the infant grows, they will also need to consume specially formulated low-phenylalanine foods. If phenylketonuria is not managed properly, patients who consume normal foods may suffer from intellectual disability. On a daily basis, it is important to rest and avoid frequent overtime work.