Tennessee PKU Foundation

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What is PKU?

Phenylketonuria(PKU) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). This enzyme is necessary to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine to the amino acid tyrosine. When PAH is deficient, phenylalanine accumulates and is converted into phenylketones, which are detected in the urine. Left untreated, this condition can cause problems with brain development, leading to progressive mental retardation and seizures. Wikipedia