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A different approach to breast-feeding of the infant with phenylketonuria

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Abstract

We studied the possibility and safety of a new approach to breast-feeding infants with phenylketonuria (PKU). We compared a group of PKU infants being breast-fed according to our new protocol with a group of PKU infants receiving formula only. The breast-fed group consisted of nine infants born between 1994 and 1999 being breast-fed at the time of diagnosis. The formula-fed group consisted of nine PKU infants, born between 1988 and 1997. In the breast-fed group, feedings alternated between breast-feeding and phenylalanine (Phe)-free bottle-feeding. The numbers of breast-feedings were adapted to the plasma Phe concentrations. At each feeding, either bottle- or breast-feeding, the child was allowed to drink until satiety. Data on metabolic control and growth during the first 6 months showed no statistically different results. The mean Phe concentration in the breast- fed group was 170 µmol/l (range 137–243 µmol/l) and in the formula- fed group 181 µmol/l (range 114–257 µmol/l). Compared to a routine where both bottle and breast are offered at each feeding, this new approach is more convenient for the parents and the child will be able to empty the breast, therefore drinking not only foremilk but also hindmilk. Conclusion: the results suggest that this feeding protocol is safe in the strict treatment of otherwise healthy infants with phenylketonuria.

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Abbreviations

Phe:

phenylalanine

PKU:

phenylketonuria

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dietetics, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Margreet van Rijn & Tietie Dijkstra

  2. Department of Paediatrics, Division of Metabolic Diseases, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Jolita Bekhof, Peter G. P. A. Smit & Francjan J. van Spronsen

  3. Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Pim Moddermam

Authors
  1. Margreet van Rijn
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  2. Jolita Bekhof
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  3. Tietie Dijkstra
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  4. Peter G. P. A. Smit
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  5. Pim Moddermam
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  6. Francjan J. van Spronsen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margreet van Rijn.

Additional information

Parts of this article have been previously published in the "Tijdschrift voor Kindergeneeskunde" 70: 195-199 (2002)

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van Rijn, M., Bekhof, J., Dijkstra, T. et al. A different approach to breast-feeding of the infant with phenylketonuria. Eur J Pediatr 162, 323–326 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-003-1182-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-003-1182-2

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