The Effect of Parent's Education in Controlling the Serum Phenylalanine Levels in the Children with Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by the congenital disorder of phenylalanine metabolism, and leads to progressive mental retardation. The timely start of a diet can prevent the disease complications. This study aimed to investigate the effect educating parents has on controlling the serum phenylalanine level in children with phenylketonuria.
In this clinical trial study, 30 children with phenylketonuria (1-18 years) were investigated. The patients and parents were randomly divided into two groups: presence education (face to face and speech) and control. The levels of parents’ knowledge and serum phenylalanine in the children were investigated and recorded before and after intervention in all families in the three-month interval with the completion of questionnaires (demographic and disease) and venous blood samples, respectively. Data were analyzed using the paired t test, independent t-test.
There was no statistically significant difference between familie's knowledge and the serum phenylalanine level in the children in the intervention and control groups before and after educational intervention (P>0.05). However, after three months, in the intervention group the family knowledge significantly increased (P0.05).
According to this study: parents’ education increases their knowledge, but the serum phenylalanine levels are not controlled and this can represent that various factors influence the phenylalanine level. It is recommended that studies be conducted on the education effect in the adherence to the diet as well as comparing the effect of f education and economic support on the phenylalanine levels.