The introduction of routine neonatal screening for hyperphenylalaninaemia from the 1960s onwards permitted early
diagnosis of phenylketonuria (PKU).
1
Prompt intervention with
a phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet within the first weeks, or
even days, of life has prevented most, of the adverse effects of
this disorder on cognitive function.
2,3
Maintaining adequate
nutrition to support normal physical development for patients
with PKU, is challenging, given the nature of the Phe-restricted
diet, which restricts natural protein to patient tolerance and
requires supplementation with a Phe-free protein substitute and
specially manufactured low-protein foods.
4
The relationship
between diet and growth in PKU has been little studied
compared with the large database of publications on the
neuropsychological sequelae of PKU, especially in recent years.
Little is also known about the development of obesity. The
purpose of this review is to summarise the current state of the
literature regarding physical development in patients with PKU;
we provide our interpretation of this evidence base and also
highlight future areas for research.