15
Sep
In this case the risks of breastfeeding outweigh the benefits. Phenylketonuria PKU and Breastfeeding By Marie L.
Breastmilk contains phenylalanine in levels high enough to cause permanent damage if the breast milk accounts for all of the childs nutrition.
Phenylalanine while breastfeeding. It is not known if phenylalanine supplements are safe for use in breastfeeding women. Phenylalanine is an amino acid essential for human nutrition. While it is found in many foods it is also available as a dietary supplement.
Until more information is available it is probably a good idea to avoid these supplements while breastfeeding. PKU in a breastfeeding mother with a normal baby Evidence strongly suggests that elevated phenylalanine levels in the mothers bloodstream produce proportionately elevated levels in the breastmilk. However this does not seem to produce elevated levels in the babys blood.
Breastmilk contains phenylalanine in levels high enough to cause permanent damage if the breast milk accounts for all of the childs nutrition. Since the goal for mothers who decide to breastfeed is in fact to supply all of the childs nutrition through the breast breastfeeding would seem to be harmful for a child with PKU. It is not safe to use Phenylephrine while you are breastfeeding.
Is It Safe To Take Antibiotics While Breastfeeding Due to low bioavailability of Phenylephrine oral use it is considered a low-risk compound that can harm nursing babies. But oral or intravenous Phenylephrine use may reduce the supply of breastmilk. This sheet is about having phenylketonuria PKU in a pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers. PKU stands for phenylketonuria an inherited condition where the body cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine or Phe for short. It is still important to remain on diet while breastfeeding your baby to minimize exposure to high levels of Phe.
Your healthcare provider can also measure the Phe levels in the baby to make sure they are not too high after breastfeeding. Can I take Phenylephrine while breastfeeding. The oral bioavailability of phenylephrine is only about 40 so the drug is unlikely to reach the infant in large amounts.
However intravenous or oral administration of phenylephrine might decrease milk production. Unfortunately there is little information about the safety of amino acid supplements such as tyrosine phenylalanine tryptophan and 5-HTP during pregnancy or there are specific warnings about using these supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding. They are best avoided during pregnancy.
Partial breastfeeding in phenyloketonuria is well established and breastfeeding may be linked to lower phenylalanine levels and higher weight gain for the infant. Problems with oral intake. If lack of oral feeding is the only problem babies can be fed expressed milk.
Breastfeeding and breastmilk have numerous benefits for you and your child. At least 6 months is desirable and if you can make it to one year that is even better. That being said many women may only be able to breastfeed for a few months while some will continue to breastfeed into toddlerhood.
In 75 mothers of a child with PKU three categories of breastfeeding challenges were identified. Common breastfeeding issues breastfeeding and PKU and no challenges. The common breastfeeding issues can be identified in the literature but for these mothers the issues are heightened due to frequent phenylalanine Phe monitoring.
Breastfeeding could be a cause for concern in some women given the biological complications and challenges. Lactating mothers these days are often turning to a new magic diet in the market that has the richness of all micro phyto and essential nutrients necessary to produce healthy and sufficient volume of milk and this magic is called spirulina. Since breastmilk contains a significant amount of protein and thus phenylalanine no it is not considered safe to breastfeed your child.
In this case the risks of breastfeeding outweigh the benefits. The doctors will prescribe appropriate formula and medication so that your baby can stay at a safe level of phenylalanine. Phenylketonuria PKU and Breastfeeding By Marie L.
Bosco BSN RNC IBCLC. Phenylalanine intake is not exact. In most cases a mother may choose any of the above methods to control the infants PKU diagnosis and promote optimal growth and development of her child.