Phenylketonuria Research Paper

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Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is a genetic disorder in which the level of an amino acid called phenylalanine exists at an exorbitant level in the blood. This is caused by the body’s inability to properly metabolize phenylalanine, which is caused by a defect in the gene that creates the enzyme responsible for breaking down phenylalanine, known as a PAH gene.1 This condition was discovered by Dr. Ivar Asbjørn Følling, in 1934. Dr. Ivar Asbjørn Følling had received two young children, both of whom suffered from severe mental disabilities, and had a strange odor; for reasons unknown. Dr. Ivar Asbjørn Følling tested their urine, which also emitted the odor, to discover high amounts of phenylpyruvic acid.2 Phenylpyruvic acid is a product produced when the regular passageway of the catabolism of phenylalanine is blocked; the …show more content…
Symptoms include seizures, trembling, irregular skin conditions, hyperactivity, musty odor from the victim’s urine, breath, or skin, and stunted growth. The effects of phenylketonuria are mild to severe mental disabilities, an abnormally small head, heart defects, stunted growth, and that pregnant women may give birth to a child with these abnormalities.6 Kevin Alexander is a film producer, and sufferer of PKU. He says how his change in diet feels normal for him, as eating regular food is for regular people. Alexander says how his suffering of this has taught him to be grateful for everything in life. Alexander has recently started trying to educate the public on PKU, as he is always treated differently, which he dislikes. Despite the difference in treatment he gets from the public, Alexander says how he loves life, and that he has fully lived out his dreams of traveling around the world, and being a successful film producer. He says how grateful he is for his treatment, and how with it anybody with PKU can live out their dream as if they were completely