What Is Phenylketonuria?
2. What Are the Inheritance Factors?
The disorder is an inherited condition that is present from birth. However, certain genetic conditions are required. PKU is an autosomal recessive disorder. As such, the baby must inherit the defective gene from both the mother and the father. A child who inherits the gene from only one parent becomes a carrier of PKU but does not have any of the symptoms.
An individual who has the disorder can pass it on to a child, but someone who is a carrier can also pass the gene on to offspring. Many times, people who are carriers do not realize it. The highest rates of PKU are found in those cases where both parents are unaware that they have the defective gene.
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