{"id":851,"date":"2023-01-12T07:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T07:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pkudsehcp-dev-001.azurewebsites.net\/en-us\/phenylketonuria\/?page_id=851"},"modified":"2024-08-27T20:43:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T20:43:26","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hcp.biomarin.com\/en-us\/pku\/hcp-resources\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism caused by variants in the gene encoding the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme.1-3<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n Most cases (~98%) of PKU are caused by variants in the gene encoding the enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). PAH defects can range from mild folding defects in the protein to absence or deficiency of PAH expression.3-5<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n PKU is characterized by complete or partial deficiency of PAH enzymatic activity resulting in an inability to metabolize the amino acid Phe.4-5<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n As the PAH enzyme catalyzes the hydroxylation of Phe to tyrosine (Tyr), conversion of Phe to Tyr is impaired. This causes the Phe to build up in the blood and brain, leading to a range of intellectual disabilities, as well as neurological, neuropsychiatric, and psychosocial consequences.4<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n If not adequately controlled, excess levels of Phe, which are toxic to the brain, disrupt normal neurophysiology. High Phe levels may lead to serious neurological and neuropsychological complications, affecting the way people with PKU think, feel, and act.1,2,6,7<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n In the United States, the estimated prevalence of PKU is 1 case per 15,000 births.4<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics released guidelines in 2014 on the diagnosis and management of PKU: management should be started as early as possible and maintained for life; blood Phe levels should be maintained at \u2264360 \u03bcmol\/L throughout life; and any combination of therapies that helps keep blood Phe levels in the recommended range is appropriate.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n The effects of high Phe are felt throughout a patient\u2019s life.3,7<\/sup><\/p>\n Young adults and adults with uncontrolled Phe can experience neurologic, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms, including:<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n The burden of PKU extends beyond the brain and into many aspects of adult life. Adults with PKU have an increased risk of several multisystemic comorbidities. 8<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n Phe control typically drops off during adolescence, increasing the severity of neuropsychological symptoms and negatively impacting life trajectory.2,3<\/sup><\/p>\n Young adults and adult patients can become trapped in a cycle of decline making dietary compliance and PKU management more difficult.6,9<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n The mainstay of PKU treatment is lifelong dietary management with a Phe-restricted diet.<\/p>\n A low-Phe diet consists of 3 main parts:3,10<\/sup><\/p>\n While a Phe-restricted diet, remains the cornerstone of care for patients with PKU, there are challenges which may make strict adherence difficult for patients.3,11<\/sup><\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n Lowering Phe is recognized as the key strategy in managing PKU.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Elevated levels of the Phe correlates with neuropsychological symptom severity, which generally improves with Phe reductions.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Emerging clinical evidence suggests that additional benefits may be attained when Phe is below recommended levels.12,13<\/sup><\/p>\nWhat type of gene variant causes PKU?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
What enzyme is missing in PKU?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
How does PKU affect the brain?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
Can PKU cause brain damage?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
PKU: how common is it?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
How long do you manage PKU?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
What are common symptoms of PKU?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n
What comorbidities are associated with PKU?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
How difficult is it to control blood Phe levels?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
What is the diet for PKU?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n
What is the bene\ufb01t of lowering blood Phe levels?\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n