Question
The urine of a newborn emits an unusual odor, and after hospital examination, it was found that the phenylketonuria value is positive. What should the normal value be?
Answer
The normal value for newborn phenylketonuria screening should generally be below 1.2 mmol/L (20 mg/dl). Phenylketonuria is a congenital metabolic disorder, and if not addressed promptly, it can affect the child’s intelligence. If the value is only slightly below 0.1, there may be a mistake in the test, and it is recommended to have a retest to confirm the number. If the value continues to be below the normal range, a low phenylalanine diet can be adopted.