Sandbox Reserved 642: Difference between revisions
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==== Symptoms ==== | ==== Symptoms ==== | ||
[[Image:PKU diet.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|PKU diet]] | |||
Phenylalanine plays a variety of roles in the body among which is the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair and and skin color. Infants with an over abundance of this residue may therefore have a lighter skin, hair and eye color than those who do not. <ref> A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, Phenylketonuria. [http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002150/]</ref> | Phenylalanine plays a variety of roles in the body among which is the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair and and skin color. Infants with an over abundance of this residue may therefore have a lighter skin, hair and eye color than those who do not. <ref> A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, Phenylketonuria. [http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002150/]</ref> | ||
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==== Treatment ==== | ==== Treatment ==== | ||
Treatment for such a PKU is a low phenylalanine diet and early detection. Those who start the diet early and adhere to it will have better mental and physical health. Infants diagnosed with the disease can fed a specially made formula called Lofenalac while others should follow a diet plan as illustrated in the image to the left. The main rule to follow is to avoid protein sources rich in phenylalanine and sugars containing aspartame. Taking extra supplements like fish oil can replace the fatty acids missing from the phenylalanine free diet and may also improve neurological development. PKU can also be caused by a deficiency in or inability to regenerate tetrahydrobipternin, the cofactor essential to the function of PheOH. Although this is not usually the cause of PKU, patients can be treated by taking tetrahydrobiopterin supplements. If the diet is not strictly followed, mental retardation may result after the first year of life. <ref> A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, Phenylketonuria. [http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002150/]</ref> | Treatment for such a PKU is a low phenylalanine diet and early detection. Those who start the diet early and adhere to it will have better mental and physical health. Infants diagnosed with the disease can fed a specially made formula called Lofenalac while others should follow a diet plan as illustrated in the image to the left. The main rule to follow is to avoid protein sources rich in phenylalanine and sugars containing aspartame. Taking extra supplements like fish oil can replace the fatty acids missing from the phenylalanine free diet and may also improve neurological development. PKU can also be caused by a deficiency in or inability to regenerate tetrahydrobipternin, the cofactor essential to the function of PheOH. Although this is not usually the cause of PKU, patients can be treated by taking tetrahydrobiopterin supplements. If the diet is not strictly followed, mental retardation may result after the first year of life. <ref> A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, Phenylketonuria. [http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002150/]</ref> | ||