Comparative Analysis of Dietary Patterns in Children With Phenylketonuria Phenotypes and Controls: Implications for Nutritional Status


Por: Garcia-Arenas, D, Ormazabal-Herrero A, Isern, P, Barrau-Martinez, B, Gonzalez-Rodriguez, A, Tor-Roca, A, Llorach, R, Campistol-Plana J and Urpi-Sarda, M

Publicada: 3 may 2026
Resumen:
Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), caused by different variants of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene, need to restrict their intake of phenylalanine. This study evaluated dietary patterns and physical activity levels in children with different PKU phenotypes compared to healthy controls. Eighty-two children were recruited (22 classic PKU [cPKU], 21 BH4-responsive PKU, 19 hyperphenylalaninemia, and 20 controls). Anthropometric data, dietary intake, biochemical markers, and physical activity were assessed. Classic PKU (cPKU) subjects exhibited higher carbohydrate and sugar intake than other PKU phenotypes and controls. Notably, 42% of carbohydrate and 17% of sugar intake was from special low-protein foods, and 20% of carbohydrate and 29% of sugar intake was from protein substitutes. Compared to controls, the cPKU group was less physically active and reported a higher frequency of sweet consumption. Ninety percent of PKU had good metabolic control and carbohydrate intake was significantly correlated with HOMA-IR; however, after adjusting for age, only a trend remained (p = 0.08). Participants in the PKU group following a low natural protein diet consumed more carbohydrate and sugars than those on a normal-protein diet. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the low natural protein diet group was significantly associated with higher levels of vitamin B12, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, and with lower levels of total cholesterol and HDL-C compared to the normal-protein diet group. In conclusion, children with PKU, particularly those with classical PKU following low-protein diets, showed higher carbohydrate intake and distinct micronutrient and lipid profiles compared with healthy controls.

Filiaciones:
:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

 St Joan de Deu Hosp, Inborn Errors Metab Unit, Barcelona, Spain

Ormazabal-Herrero A:
 Inst Salud Carlos III, Ctr Invest Biomed Red Enfermedades Raras CIBERER, Madrid, Spain

 St Joan de Deu Hosp, Clin Biochem Dept, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Recerca St Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain

Isern, P:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

Barrau-Martinez, B:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Barcelona, Inst Res Nutr & Food Safety INSA UB, Barcelona, Spain

Gonzalez-Rodriguez, A:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Barcelona, Inst Res Nutr & Food Safety INSA UB, Barcelona, Spain

Tor-Roca, A:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Barcelona, Inst Res Nutr & Food Safety INSA UB, Barcelona, Spain

Llorach, R:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Barcelona, Inst Res Nutr & Food Safety INSA UB, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Salud Carlos III, Ctr Invest Biomed Red Fragil & Envejecimiento Salu, Madrid, Spain

Campistol-Plana J:
 St Joan de Deu Hosp, Inborn Errors Metab Unit, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Recerca St Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain

 St Joan de Deu Hosp, Neuropaediat Dept, Metab Unit, Barcelona, Spain

Urpi-Sarda, M:
 Univ Barcelona, Fac Pharm & Food Sci, Nutr Food Sci & Gastron Dept, Food Sci & Nutr Torribera Campus, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Salud Carlos III, Ctr Invest Biomed Red Enfermedades Raras CIBERER, Madrid, Spain

 Univ Barcelona, Inst Res Nutr & Food Safety INSA UB, Barcelona, Spain
ISSN: 01418955





JOURNAL OF INHERITED METABOLIC DISEASE
Editorial
WILEY, 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ, Países Bajos
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 49 Número: 3
Páginas:
WOS Id: 001754596000001
ID de PubMed: 42070971
imagen Green Submitted, hybrid

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