Question
An 8-year-old patient with phenylketonuria has been undergoing dietary treatment since the age of two. Now, at seven, the patient inquires whether there are any treatment methods available.
Answer
Phenylketonuria is currently incurable and requires lifelong low-phenylalanine dietary treatment, along with close monitoring of phenylalanine intake and blood concentration, as well as side effects. Early treatment tends to be more effective, so diagnosis and treatment should be initiated as early as possible. It is also possible to supplement tyrosine or use tyrosine-replacement diets to limit dietary restrictions.