Question
What medication should be used for phenylketonuria? My friend’s 10-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with phenylketonuria after a thorough examination. How should she be treated? What dietary precautions should be taken? Are there any medications she can take? How long will it take to recover?
Answer
Phenylketonuria is a congenital metabolic disorder that is typically screened for shortly after birth. Infants with the condition are usually normal at birth, but symptoms usually appear between 3 to 6 months after the intake of milk, becoming more pronounced by the age of 1. Once diagnosed, treatment should be initiated as soon as possible, primarily through dietary therapy. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome.