PKU Genetics

Since I have PKU will my child also develop PKU?

In most cases of maternal PKU, the baby will not inherit the metabolic disorder. Only if the father is also a carrier of the PKU gene, the child will also develop PKU.
Specifically, every person has 2 genes that can cause PKU, one gene inherited from the father and one form the mother. Each of the 2 genes may carry PKU or be normal. The following may occur:

• If both parents pass along to their child a normal gene, then the child will not have PKU.
• If one parent passes along a PKU gene, but the other parent passes along a normal gene, then the child will not have PKU.
• The only way that the child will develop PKU, is if both parents have the PKU gene and pass it to the child.

You and your partner can get genetic counseling to find out if you have any risk of passing PKU on to your children.