Feeding Patterns and Practices in Young Children With PKU During the First Two Years of Life

Feeding Patterns and Practices in Young Children With PKU During the First Two Years of Life: Acceptability and Efficacy of a New Protein Substitute

In this study the feeding patterns and practices at the introduction of a second stage phe-free protein substitute will be assessed in young children with PKU. This will be compared with the normal weaning process in healthy non-PKU age-matched children. In addition, tolerability and acceptability of the study product will be evaluated in a smaller group of subjects who have already been transferred onto a second stage protein substitute. The study is performed in 3 centers in the United Kingdom.

Part 1:

For subjects with PKU, the study product will be incorporated in the diet as the second stage protein substitute until the subjects are 2 years of age.

The healthy non-PKU age-matched subjects will not have the study product incorporated in their diet in order to be able to compare the weaning experience and nutritional intake of PKU subjects with non-PKU subjects. The healthy subjects will also be part of the study until the subjects are 2 years of age.

Part 2:

All PKU subjects will take the study product for 7 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of PKU identified on screening during the newborn period and requiring a phenylalanine free protein substitute
• Subjects who are about to commence weaning and require a concentrated phe-free protein substitute to meet their total protein requirements and are aged between 4 and 10 months (Part 1)
• Subjects aged under 5 years who have already been fully transferred onto a concentrated phe-free protein substitute and are willing to try the study product for 7 days (Part 2)
• Written informed consent obtained from subject or parents / caregiver
• May or may not have commenced weaning solids (i.e. using normal foods)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of serious concurrent illness
• Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the patient to comply with the protocol requirements
• Any child who has not commenced a second stage protein substitute and is over the age of 10 months
• Participation in any other studies involving investigational or marketed products concomitantly or within two weeks prior to entry into the study
• Any children having taken antibiotics over the previous 2 weeks leading up to the study