How Pku Affects Child Development

Each living cell in the human body has a nucleus with 23 pairs of chromosomes inside it. In each pair of chromosomes, one chromosome comes from the father and one from the mother. Each chromosome carries units of inheritance known as genes and these genes interact to create a new set of instructions for making a new person. Genes are made of a substance called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The DNA contains the instructions for producing proteins; it is these proteins that regulate the development of a human being. Although half of your chromosomes come from your mother and half from your father, your genetic pattern can be different from the patterns of either of your parents. Your genes determine who you are, for example they determine your

PKU can affect an individuals physical development as if PKU is left untreated they can develop eczema which is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. PKU also affects physical development as people with the condition may fail to meet the developmental milestones and would experience developmental delay. If a mother has PKU and it is left untreated her unborn baby can have slow growth which will affect the baby’s physical development. People with the condition also have fairer skin, hair and eyes as phenylalanine is involved in the body’s production of melanin which is the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour. PKU can also affect an individual’s intellectual development as they may develop learning difficulties and have difficulties problem solving and have behavioural difficulties. This will affect their intellectual development as they may struggle with processing information. PKU can also affect their emotional development as people with PKU can often develop depression, anxiety disorders, phobias and develop low self-esteem. This will affect their emotional and social development as if they have depression and have anxiety disorders they may not want to go out and socialise with friends. People with PKU also may not want to socialise with friends and tell their friends that have PKU as they may be