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Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a condition characterized by the inability of the individual affected to metabolize a specific amino acid, phenylalanine.

Amino acids are the constituent units of proteins and are therefore taken daily in one’s diet. Individuals affected by PKU should follow a phenylalanine-free diet, in order to avoid the appearance and progression of the symptomatic profile of this disease.

Given the impossibility of excluding a specific amino acid from natural proteins, the PKU patient should, in general, follow a protein-free diet and integrate it with adequate protein substitutes (i.e those not containing phenylalanine). The treatment is, however, customized according to the needs of the individual patient.

The nutritional treatment period should not only affect childhood and adolescence, but, based on phenylalanine levels, should continue into adulthood.

PIAM, always attentive to the problems related to rare or low-prevalence diseases, offers a diversified range of specific protein substitutes for the correct nutritional management of the PKU patient, providing tailor-made solutions for all ages, from infancy to adulthood.