Question

Starting in the 1960s, newborns that were identified as having pku were placed on a strict low-protein diet that reduced the effects of pku on mental impairment. what are other avenues of research that may lead to a cure beyond this restrictive diet?

Answer 1

Children with PKU must follow a regime which restricts foods with phenylalanine. The diet should be followed correctly and should begun as soon after birth as feasible. However,  experts advise that children with PKU stay on the diet in their entire lives for normal physical and mental health.

People with PKU also need to avoid the sweetener aspartame, which is found in many foods, beverages, medicines, and vitamins. Aspartame liberates phenylalanine when it is absorbed, it increases the level of phenylalanine in a person's blood.

The quantity of phenylalanine that is secure to consume varies for each person. Therefore, a  child with PKU requires to work with a healthcare specialist to acquire an individualized diet.

Answer 2

PKU, also known as Phenylketonuria is a metabolic condition which can be found in newborns, which can lead to disability, seizures and behavioral issues in later life, it is an inheritable condition passed down as a mutation by both parents. Gene therapy is a new avenue of research which could potentially lead to a cure, an enzyme substitution therapy with PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase is also currently being scientifically explored.