Pku
The Build up of phenylalanine
What is it
PKU also known as Phenylketonuria is a very rare chromosomal abnormality. That can affect you in many ways. The defect occurs on chromosome 12.
The risk
Phenylketonuria is a very rare condition that only happens to one in every 15,000 babies. What PKU does is it causes there to be too much phenylalanine in the body and can cause many defects. you are born with Phenylketonuria, so it is most common in babies. There are also no known environmental influences so it doesn't matter where in the world you live because you can get it anywhere
Symptoms
Phenylketonuria can cause a wide variety of symptoms including severe brain damage, epilepsies, stunted growth, exczema, fair skin, and a musty body odor.
Prevention
There is no real way to be cured of PKU. Although You can get tested when you are young to catch early signs and possibly be better off. If you do have it you would have to eat a low protein diet also filled with fruits and vegetables. You can also take nutrition supplements. Most Fruits and Vegetables are important in this because they are very low in phenylalanine
How PKU gets passed on
This is an example of how PKU can get passed on through two carriers
A PKU diet
People who have PKU have to eat a low protein diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, and as well as low phenylalanine
PKU Supplement
An example of some supplements a person with PKU would take
How you can help
There are many support groups out there that are searching for a cure of PKU and you can be apart of them. The majority of them will take donations to help provide funds to help find a cure for PKU. If you are looking for a way to help click on the link below for some ideas
National PKU Alliance
A large support group looking for a cure for PKU
PKU inheritance
Two examples of how PKU can be inherited
Click here to go to the National PKU Alliance home page
This will take you to the National PKU Alliance Where you can help make a difference