BACKGROUND Phenylketonuria (PKU) is characterized by phenylalanine (Phe) accumulation to toxic levels due to the low activity of phenylalanine-hydroxylase. PKU patients must follow a Phe-restricted diet, which may put them in risk of nutritional disturbances. Therefore, we aimed to characterize body composition parameters and nutritional status in Brazilian PKU patients also considering their m...

INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to examine whether hyperphenylalaninemic children on unrestricted diet (MHP) may exhibit a different LCPUFA profile from PKU or healthy children in plasma phospholipids. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-five MHP children (age 9-14 years) were age and sex matched with 45 PKU and 45 healthy children. Fatty acids were determined and expressed as % of total...

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has shown poorer microstructural white matter integrity in children with phenylketonuria (PKU), specifically decreases in mean diffusivity (MD), in comparison with healthy children. However, little research has been conducted to investigate the relationship between age and white matter integrity in this population. The present study examined group differences in t...

Numerous advances have been made in our understanding of metabolic disorders over the last century, but optimal outcomes have not been achieved for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU). We stand now on the cusp of a new era of PKU research and treatment. It is time that we thoroughly reevaluate our understanding of PKU so that we may take advantage of current innovations in neuropsychological...

Despite the appearance of new treatment, dietary approach remains the mainstay of PKU therapy. The nutritional management has become complex to optimize PKU patients' growth, development and diet compliance. This paper review critically new advances and challenges that have recently focused attention on potential relevant of LCPUFA supplementation, progress in protein substitutes and new protei...

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency is caused by mutations in the PAH gene (12q22-q24) resulting in a primary deficiency of the PAH enzyme activity, intolerance to the dietary intake of phenylalanine (Phe) and production of the phenylketonuria (PKU) disease. To date there have been no reports on the molecular analysis of PKU in Iranian population. In this study, the states of the PKU dis...

Two missense mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) genes of Orientals with phenylketonuria (PKU) have been identified. A G-to-A transition in exon 7 of the gene results in the substitution of Gln243 for Arg243 (R243Q) and accounts for 18% of all PKU chromosomes among Chinese. An A-to-G transition in exon 6 of the gene results in the substitution of Cys204 for Tyr204 (Y204C) and ident...

OBJECTIVE Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a hereditary metabolic disorder that often results in neuropsychological impairment, even in individuals treated early and continuously. This study was conducted to examine processing speed, variability in processing speed, and the relationship between processing speed variables and executive abilities in children with early and continuously treated PKU. MET...

Visual event-related potentials (ERPs) were examined in 16 children (aged 5-14 y) with phenylketonuria (PKU) and 16 age- and sex-matched controls. Lifetime median measures of phenylalanine (Phe) were 230-460 micromol/l. The most recent Phe levels were 56-624 micromol/l. ERPs were recorded whilst the children performed a discrimination task. All stimuli were square wave gratings degree, which ap...

Rapid and in time diagnosis of phenylketonuria (PKU) in affected infants can help preventing the progress of mental and developmental disorders associated with the disease. Here we report the isolation of alkaliphilic Bacillus bacteria capable of producing high level of Phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH) from soil. A new quantitative and rapid test for PKU diagnosis was then developed using th...