| Title: | Parenting |
| Notice: | Previous PARENTING version at MOIRA::PARENTING_V3 |
| Moderator: | GEMEVN::FAIMAN Y |
| Created: | Thu Apr 09 1992 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 1292 |
| Total number of notes: | 34837 |
I would like information on the PKU test. What is it, when
is it done and what does it determine?
Any help will be appreciated!
Thanks,
Tracy
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 850.1 | STAR::LEWIS | Wed Nov 09 1994 11:02 | 6 | ||
PKU is a disorder where certain proteins aren't broken down correctly.
I think that in their semi-broken down state they are somewhat toxic
and can cause retardation. It's easily avoidable if you avoid those
proteins. It's typically done within a few days of birth.
Sue
| |||||
| 850.2 | PKU | SAPPHO::DUBOIS | Trust in God, but tie your camel | Wed Nov 09 1994 11:56 | 8 |
That's basically what I remember from my psych classes, too. They tested
my kids right after birth. Because of the retardation a person can get if
they have this, then you will see signs on a lot of foods (like soft drinks)
which say:
PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS
PHENYLALANINE
Carol
| |||||
| 850.3 | Anemia? | GRANPA::COMPTONT | Wed Nov 09 1994 12:24 | 9 | |
Well maybe I'm confused or maybe my friend is confused, but she
said it has something to do with anemia. Her daughter is 6 months
old and was tested for PKU. They are doing more testing (blood)
because of the results of the PKU. She is not worried and didn't
mention retardation at all.
I thought she said PKU but maybe I'm wrong. Does this sound like
something different?
| |||||
| 850.4 | CSC32::M_EVANS | perforated porcini | Wed Nov 09 1994 12:46 | 5 | |
could it be the complete newborn screen, of which the pku test is a
part? I know Colorado checks for PKU, maple sugar urine syndrome and a
host of other things in thheir screening test.
meg
| |||||
| 850.5 | MOIRA::FAIMAN | light upon the figured leaf | Wed Nov 09 1994 12:47 | 19 | |
> I thought she said PKU but maybe I'm wrong. Does this sound like > something different? It sounds like something different. PKU is phenylketoneuria. It's a metabolic disorder (either inherited, or caused by a random mutation), which involves an inability to properly metabolize the amino acide phenylalanine. As a result, phenylalanine (or one of its by-products) builds up in the body, where it causes brain damage, among other problems. The result tends to be fairly profound mental retardation, which occurs quite early. Fortunately, it's easily diagnosed, and if a child with PKU is put on a phenylalanine-free diet from birth, they will have no problems. (As Carol mentioned, the synthetic sweetener aspartame is a combination of phenylalanine and another amino acid, so it's right out for phenylketonurics.) Thus, newborns are always tested for PKU these days. -Neil | |||||