UNDERSTANDING PHENYLKETONURIA (PKU)

Phenylketonuria PKU is a rare hereditary disorder. It affects the body's capacity to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. Normally, the organs makes an enzyme known as phenylalanine hydroxylase, which changes phenylalanine into tyrosine. In people who have PKU, this enzyme fails to function properly. As a result, phenylalanine builds up i