Maternal phenylketonuria and hyperphenylalaninemia: implications for medical practice in the United States

Article Abstract:

In the birth defect phenylketonuria (PKU) an enzyme essential for converting the amino acid phenylalanine is lacking. If phenylalanine is not converted, it builds up in the blood and poisons the brain tissue, causing mental retardation. In addition, heart defects and fetal wastage can also develop. If a diet free of phenylalanine is started at birth, patients can have normal mental development. However, some patients may have undiagnosed PKU syndrome without mental retardation. Patients on special diets or undiagnosed at birth may continue to have higher levels of phenylalanine in their blood as adults. When these patients become pregnant, their fetuses are at risk for developing complications of maternal PKU. The incidence of maternal PKU is not known. Women who are 20 to 25 years of age (born before universal PKU screening of newborns) have a one in 20,000 to 30,000 chance of having PKU with normal mental development. It is suggested that pregnant women who have given birth to a mentally retarded child or a child with heart abnormalities be screened for PKU. Universal screening of all pregnant women should be considered for those born before universal PKU screening. The test is safe and inexpensive.

United States, Diagnosis, Measurement, Medical screening, Health screening, Phenylketonuria, Mental retardation, Phenylalanine

---

Maternal blood lead effects on infant intelligence at age 7 months

Article Abstract:

A blood lead level of less than 5 micrograms per deciliter in a pregnant woman can still have an adverse effect on her baby, according to a study of 79 seven-month-old babies. Babies exposed to lead from the mother's blood were more likely to have defects in memory and intelligence. This is a significant finding because as of 2003, a blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter or less is considered safe.

Health aspects, Environmental aspects, Lead poisoning, Memory, Disorders of, Memory disorders, Cognition disorders, Cognitive disorders

---

Maternal age and the risk of stillbirth throughout pregnancy in the United States

Article Abstract:

The relationship of maternal age with the risk of stillbirth throughout gestation in the U.S. is examined. The results have shown that women of advanced maternal age are at higher risk of stillbirth throughout gestation, where the peak period is from 37 to 41 weeks.

Analysis, Patient outcomes, Risk factors, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Maternal age, Still-birth, Stillbirth, Clinical report

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The nursing intervention lexicon and taxonomy: implications for representing nursing care data in automated patient records
• Abstracts: Comparison of normal saline and heparin solutions for maintenance of arterial catheter patency
• Abstracts: Potential health effects of global climatic and environmental changes. Nuclear transplantation, embryonic stem cells, and the potential for cell therapy
• Abstracts: Clindamycin and ibuprofen effects on chlamydia salpingitis in mice. New opportunities for chlamydia prevention: applications of science to public health practice
• Abstracts: Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome: a clinical case series of 21 patients. Screening for the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type I: a study of 11 kindreds in the Netherlands

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.