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I have a mother with an infant newly diagnosed with PKU. I know phenylalenine is not a medication but am interested in its absorption into human milk. If mom decreases her phenylalenine intake, does her milk contain lower phenylalenine levels? Thank you!
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Dear NittanyLionRN,
Breast milk contains about 0.41mg/ml of phenylalanine, which is in excess of the daily requirement in infants with phenylketonuria. Thus, it is probably advisable to breastfeed the infant with adequate supplementation with a low phenylalanine containing formula to attain desired levels of phenylalanine intake per day. Phenylalanine intake in the infant should not exceed 25-45mg/kg/day depending on the infant's age.
Sincerely,
Tassneem Abdel Karim, MD
TTUHSC InfantRisk Center
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