Non-phenylketonuria hyperphenylalaninaemia in Northern Ireland: frequent mutation allows screening and early diagnosis

Hum Mutat. 1994;4(2):114-8. doi: 10.1002/humu.1380040204.

Abstract

Up to 10% of newborn children with a positive Guthrie test have non-phenylketonuria hyperphenylalaninaemia, i.e., mild elevation of serum phenylalanine that does not require dietary treatment. Depending on the relative frequencies of different phenylalanine hydroxylase mutations in a particular population, non-PKU HPA is usually caused by the combined effect of a mild HPA mutation and a severe PKU mutation. Presented here is a comprehensive analysis of non-PKU HPA in Northern Ireland. Of particular interest is one prevalent HPA mutation (T380M), which is present in over 70% of non-PKU HPA patients in Northern Ireland. Screening for this mutation is easy and inexpensive and can help confirm the diagnosis of non-PKU hyperphenylalaninaemia in the majority of cases at a very early stage. This may be clinically useful and reassuring for the parents. Other mutations described are V245A, L194P, and E390G.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / diagnosis
  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / epidemiology
  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Genetic Carrier Screening
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation*
  • Phenylalanine / blood*
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase / deficiency
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Phenylketonurias / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Phenylalanine
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase