Question
Lately, the child has been very disobedient and constantly crying. Could this be a symptom of phenylketonuria stage 2-4?
Answer
Phenylketonuria stages 2-4 typically refer to different degrees of severity in pediatric phenylketonuria, a chromosomal recessive genetic disorder that causes elevated levels of phenylalanine in the serum. When phenylalanine levels are high, it may lead to symptoms such as emotional instability and growth delay in children. If a child is diagnosed with phenylketonuria, they usually require medication and lifestyle changes, such as consuming low-phenylalanine foods, and increasing water intake to aid metabolism. Parents should follow the doctor’s advice for treatment and regularly monitor the child’s condition.