People with phenylketonuria (PKU) must follow a special, low-protein diet for their entire lives. This is because a certain building block of protein, called phenylalanine, cannot be broken down in the bodies of people with PKU. For this reason, it is important to avoid phenylalanine in the diet for a person’s entire life if they have this condition. People with PKU must also eat special medical foods to help make up for nutrients that they miss getting because of their special diet. Current guidelines strongly recommend that people with PKU follow a special diet including using supplemental medical foods for their entire lives.
Other Questions About Phenylketonuria
- Will my child with phenylketonuria go through puberty the same time as their peers?
- Will my child with phenylketonuria be able to live independently?
- Will my child outgrow phenylketonuria?
- Will my child have to use medical food product for phenylketonuria for their entire life or just a period of time?
- Why is phenylketonuria considered an amino acid disorder?
