Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Children Diagnosed with Phenylketonuria

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence suggests a higher occurrence of overweight and obesity in children diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU), yet the exact cause is still unknown. Objectives: The objective is to address the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children with PKU. Methods: In our cross-sectional study, we included 47 children with PKU who were receiving care at the nutritional clinic of the National Nutrition Institute. We conducted anthropometric assessments, which involved measuring weight, height, and BMI. Additionally, we performed biochemical evaluations, including measurements of fasting total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Moreover, we assessed fasting blood sugar levels. Results: In the study group, 57.44% were males, and 42.55% were females, with no significant gender difference observed. Malnourished children exhibited significantly higher phenylalanine (PHE) levels. Most participants (n = 26, 55.3%) were overweight or obese. A positive and significant correlation (rs = 0.6, P = 0.01) was found between PHE levels and fasting blood sugar levels. Conclusions: Children with PKU have a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, emphasizing the importance of obesity screening in this population.