Journal Article

How Well Is Blood Phenylalanine Controlled in Maternal PKU in Europe? Results from 102 Pregnancies

Cole, Duncan, Wilcox, Gisela, Evans, Sharon, Woodall, Alison, Ashmore, Catherine, Loro, Christian, Ford, Suzanne, Geberhiwot, Tarekegn, Robertson, Louise, Hoekstra, Yteke, Daly, Anne, Burlina, Alberto, Howe, Sarah, Ilgaz, Fatma, McStravick, Nicola, Almeida, Manuela Ferreira, Rocha, Júlio César, Firman, Sarah, Schulenburg-Brand, Danja, Bélanger-Quintana, Amaya, MacDonald, Anita, Ahring, Kirsten, Green, Diane, Pinto, Alex, Ramachandran, Radha, Dawson, Charlotte, Rawlins, Katie, Dale, Clare, Bailey, Sarah, Rodenburg, Iris, van Spronsen, Francjan J., van Dam, Esther

2026

Overview

Background/Objectives: In phenylketonuria (PKU), high blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels during pregnancy negatively influence foetal organogenesis and growth, leading to maternal PKU syndrome. Pregnancies must be carefully planned in order to maintain blood Phe levels ≤ 360 µmol/L pre-conception and throughout pregnancy. Our aim was to study metabolic control in PKU pregnancies across Europe. Methods: Eleven centres managing PKU participated. Data on blood Phe levels (µmol/L), natural protein intake (g/day), protein substitute intake (g/day) and maternal weight (kg) during pregnancy were collected retrospectively from dietetic records between 2012 and 2018. Results: In total, 84 female patients with PKU, accounting for 102 pregnancies (mean age: 30.4 ± 4.8 years), participated. Of these, 7 had hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), 26 had mild PKU, 55 had classical PKU and 14 were unclassified. Sapropterin was prescribed in two pregnancies. Only 27% (28/102) of pregnancies successfully achieved consistent blood Phe levels ≤ 360 µmol/L for at least 2 weeks pre-conception. During pregnancy, 88% of blood Phe levels were ≤360 µmol/L, with a mean Phe of 229 ± 65 µmol/L. The mean number of blood Phe samples was 60 (1.5 per week) per pregnancy. In pre-pregnancy, over a mean of 2.9 years, only 35% of blood Phe levels were ≤360 µmol/L and 61% were <600 µmol/L. Post-pregnancy, over a mean of 2.8 years, 43% of Phe levels were <600 µmol/L with mean Phe 462 ± 226 µmol/L and 724 ± 230 µmol/L, respectively. 25% (25/102) had no levels performed post-pregnancy (mean of 2.8 ± 1.6 years) compared to 7% (7/102) pre-pregnancy (mean of 2.9 ± 1.5 years). Mean prescribed Phe intake pre-/during/post-pregnancy was 810 ± 721 vs. 787 ± 552 vs. 1110 ± 722 mg/day. Natural protein intake was 17 ± 15 vs. 17 ± 11 vs. 23 ± 15 g/day. Protein equivalent from protein substitute intake was 57 ± 21 vs. 66 ± 16 vs. 50 ± 23 g/day and total protein remained stable, 73 ± 14 vs. 83 ± 14 vs. 71 ± 19 g/day (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4 vs. 1.0 ± 0.4 g/kg/day). Conclusions: Although a high level of metabolic control was maintained during pregnancy, fewer than 30% of pregnancies achieved constant Phe levels ≤ 360 µmol/L prior to conception, with minimal monitoring post-pregnancy. The long-term impact on the offspring remains unknown and requires further investigation.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Adult / Age / Amino acids / Biopterins - administration & dosage / Biopterins - analogs & derivatives / Biopterins - therapeutic use / Data collection / Diet / Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage / Dietitians / Ethics / Europe / Female / Genotype & phenotype / Humans / Metabolism / Pediatrics / Phenylalanine - blood / Phenylketonuria / Phenylketonuria, Maternal - blood / Phenylketonurias - blood / Pregnancy / Pregnancy Complications - blood / Proteins / Retrospective Studies / Womens health