Methods of dietary inception in infants with PKU.

Information on methods of initiating the phenylalanine-restricted diet was obtained from the medical personnel of sixteen clinics in the Collaborative Study of Children Treated for Phenylketonuria. The four dietary methods used initially to lower serum phenylalanine were: Normal dilution Lofenalac, Lofenalac, with phenylalanine added as milk, Lofenalac with milk added to provide 200 mg. phenylalanine per day, and alternating bottles of normal dilution Lofenalac and cow's milk during the first four days of therapy. During the first week of treatment, eight clinics obtained serum phenylalanine determinations daily or every other day. The nutritionist prescribed the phenylalanine-restricted diet following diagnosis in nine of the clinics. In most clinics, the nutritionist was responsible for obtaining information relating to dietary management and follow-up contacts during the first month of treatment. The initial dietary instruction was accomplished in most clinics by a combination of lecture/discussion/demonstration methods. Both parents attended the initial dietary instruction in thirteen clinics. Neither the professional person(s) nor the method of initial dietary instruction, if detailed and comprehensive, made any difference in control of serum phenylalanine during the first year of life.