Fat intakes of children with PKU on low phenylalanine diets.
BACKGROUND
As part of a study on the effects of a fat-supplemented phenylalanine (phe)-free protein substitute on the fatty acid status of children with phenylketonuria (PKU), the adequacy of the diets of children aged 1-10 years for fat and essential fatty acids (EFA) was assessed.


METHODS
Subjects randomized in a 1 : 1 ratio to a phe-free protein substitute supplemented with EFA (test-treatment group) or a phe-free, fat-free protein substitute (control group) for 20 weeks. 3-day semi-weighed records of food intakes collected at the end of the study period.


RESULTS
Total fat and alpha-linolenic acid (alpha-LA) intakes were found to be poor in the control group (n = 19). Those in the test-treatment group (n = 24) had higher fat and EFA intakes (P < 0.05), bringing intakes closer to population norms. The youngest children (<5 years of age) in the control group appeared to be especially vulnerable to poor fat intakes because of the restricted diversity of their diets and, regardless of age, alpha-LA intakes by this group were poor compared with the non-PKU population.


CONCLUSIONS
The quantity and quality of fat in the diets of children with PKU, in particular young children, should be given careful consideration in trying to optimize the ratio of linoleic acid: alpha-LA in their diets and in satisfying the requirements of this group for fat and alpha-LA.
Rose
H J
HJ
SHS International Ltd, Liverpool, UK. hrose@shsint.co.uk
White
F
F
Macdonald
A
A
Rutherford
P J
PJ
Favre
E
E
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards; D002149:Energy Intake; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000178:diet therapy*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D010649:Phenylalanine