Mild hyperphenylalaninemia and heterozygosity of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene

Mol Genet Metab. 1998 Feb;63(2):148-50. doi: 10.1006/mgme.1997.2619.

Abstract

Newborn screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) is now the standard of practice. Initial phenylalanine blood levels of 240 mumol/L result in referral of affected newborns to medical facilities experienced in caring for patients with metabolic disorders. This case report concerns a female infant born in 1976 with a presumptive positive PKU screening test on the third day of life of 240 mumol/L phenylalanine. Follow-up levels while the mother was breast feeding on the sixth day of life were 324 and, on the 27th day, 312 mumol/L. She was subsequently lost to follow-up at age 11 years, but returned at 19 years of age due to pregnancy, with a blood phenylalanine level of 132 mumol/L. Mutation studies then were performed documenting that she was a carrier for the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene and did not have hyperphenylalaninemia. The mother's parents and the infant were also genotyped confirming heterozygosity. The infant on follow-up is completely normal, following a normal pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Carrier Screening*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Phenylalanine / blood*
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase / genetics*
  • Phenylketonuria, Maternal / genetics*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Phenylalanine
  • Phenylalanine Hydroxylase