title: Protein intake affects phenylalanine requirements and growth of infants with phenylketonuria.
abstract: Growth and metabolic status of 25 infants with PKU were evaluated based on protein intake. Food A-fed infants received a medical food containing 3.12 g protein equivalent per 100 kcal and Food B-fed infants received a medical food containing 2.74 g protein equivalent per 100 kcal. Growth percentiles of infants in the Food A group were significantly greater than those for infants in the Food B group at 6 months of age (Food A percentiles: crown-heel length 55, head circumference 60, weight 73. Food B percentiles: crown-heel length 28; head circumference 29, weight 39). At study entrance, only crown-heel length of the two groups differed; Food B infants had a significantly greater mean crown-heel length percentile (p < 0.05). Mean phenylalanine (PHE) intake was 38% greater by Food A-fed infants than by Food B-fed infants. Plasma PHE concentrations and mean energy intakes of the two groups did not differ. Mean protein intake of Food A-fed infants was greater during the first three months of life and significantly greater (p < 0.05) during the second three months of life than by Food B-fed infants. Mean protein intake 24% greater than Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) was associated with better PHE tolerance and growth than was found when mean protein intake was 9% greater than RDA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nutrition Research and Development, Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yannicelli
mesh_terms: D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010649:Phenylalanine