﻿ Phenylketonuria Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How common is phenylketonuria? - MedicineNet

Phenylketonuria (cont.)

How common is phenylketonuria?

The occurrence of PKU varies among ethnic groups and geographic regions worldwide. In the United States, PKU occurs in 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 (newborns. Most cases of PKU are detected shortly after birth by newborn screening, and treatment is started promptly. As a result, the severe signs and symptoms of classic PKU are rarely seen.

What genes are related to phenylketonuria?

Mutations in the PAH gene cause phenylketonuria.

The PAH gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme converts the amino acid phenylalanine to other important compounds in the body. If gene mutations reduce the activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase, phenylalanine from the diet is not processed effectively. As a result, this amino acid can build up to toxic levels in the blood and other tissues. Because nerve cells in the brain are particularly sensitive to phenylalanine levels, excessive amounts of this substance can cause brain damage.


Changes in other genes may influence the severity of PKU, but little is known about these additional genetic factors.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 12/16/2013

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