Evaluation of the Physical Growth in Egyptian Children with Phenylketonuria Under Diet Therapy

A phenylalanine-restricted diet is the mainstay of phenylketonuria (PKU) treatment. However, this regime would not normally provide enough protein for growth requirements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of phenylalanine restricted diet on the physical growth in the PKU Egyptian children. Twenty eight PKU children were evaluated for different growth parameters. The study was subdivided into two parts. The cross-sectional part of the study compared between the PKU and the controls. The longitudinal part of the study compared between the PKU at baseline (PKUI) and after 2 years (PKUF). Regarding the weight percentile of PKUI, 85.7% were normal. On the other hand 10.7% and 3.6% of them were under the 3rd and above the 97th percentiles respectively. 75% of them were in the normal height percentile, while 25% were under the 3rd percentile. Regarding their BMI percentile, 67.8% were normal, 21.4% were overweight and 10.8% were obese. All PKUF were in the normal weight percentile. Regarding their height percentile, 78.6% were in the normal centile while 21.4% were under the 3rd height centile. Finally, regarding their BMI percentile, 46.4% were normal, 35.7% were over weight and 17.9% were obese. In conclusion, most of the PKU children lie within the normal percentiles for weight and height. Retardation in the weight and height growth was observed in a small percentage of these patients. The PKU children who were below the 3^rd percentile for weight caught up the normal growth curve while most of the children who were below the 3^rd percentile for height failed to catch up the normal growth curve and persisted below the 3^rd percentile Finally, with time many PKU children gain more weight and became overweight and obese.