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Tuesday, May 16, 2006
PKU
Brenda, 56, from Ontario asks:
My niece is pregnant and Dr. found k factor after doing blood work. What is this?
Stacy Says:
I can only assume that by k factor, you're describing PKU. And since you didn't say that she actually has this condition, I'm assuming that the blood work found that she is a carrier.
PKU is a condition where the body does nto effectively break down certain foods, namely phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is a building block of proteins and if a person with PKU eats too much of foods with this chemical in it, it can accumulate in the body and cause damage to their health and even learning abilities.
PKU is what is known as a recessive illness. Meaning BOTH parents have to have a gene for it AND both have to pass that gene on to the child. Anyone of us can have the gene for PKU (be a "carrier" of it) but not have any manifestation of the illness because we did not receive TWO genes, one from both of our parents. Make sense?
If the father does not have this gene, then there is no way the baby can get it. If your niece has the gene, she's probably only a carrier. If she does have PKU (was diagnosed with it and is being treated for it) then she has to stick to a special diet (as determined by her doctor and most likely nutritionists) and she and the baby will be fine.
My niece is pregnant and Dr. found k factor after doing blood work. What is this?
Stacy Says:
I can only assume that by k factor, you're describing PKU. And since you didn't say that she actually has this condition, I'm assuming that the blood work found that she is a carrier.
PKU is a condition where the body does nto effectively break down certain foods, namely phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is a building block of proteins and if a person with PKU eats too much of foods with this chemical in it, it can accumulate in the body and cause damage to their health and even learning abilities.
PKU is what is known as a recessive illness. Meaning BOTH parents have to have a gene for it AND both have to pass that gene on to the child. Anyone of us can have the gene for PKU (be a "carrier" of it) but not have any manifestation of the illness because we did not receive TWO genes, one from both of our parents. Make sense?
If the father does not have this gene, then there is no way the baby can get it. If your niece has the gene, she's probably only a carrier. If she does have PKU (was diagnosed with it and is being treated for it) then she has to stick to a special diet (as determined by her doctor and most likely nutritionists) and she and the baby will be fine.
