Understanding PKU in Newborns

The Scope · May 18, 2015 · 4m

Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is a rare genetic condition that prevents the body from properly breaking down an amino acid found in protein. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains how the condition is detected, what can happen without treatment, and how a carefully managed diet can protect a child’s developing brain. Learn what parents should know if their baby’s newborn screening comes back positive and why early treatment makes such a difference.