Phenylalanine - it's role in infant nutrition and disease

Abstract

The object of this thesis is to examine in detail some aspects of phenylalanine metabolism in the infant and child. Specifically, the effects of a reduced dietary intake of phenylalanine are examined in the normal infant and the infant with phenylketonuria.Chloramphenicol, a known inhibitor of protein synthesis in the bacterial cell, is investigated for its action on amino acid metabolism and bone marrow morphology of infants and children. The interaction of phenylalanine and chloramphenicol is discussed in relation to protein synthesis and the antibacterial properties of the drug.Many of the abnormal findings in animals deprived of a single essential amino acid, such as phenylalanine, or given large doses of chloramphenicol, are analogous to the abnormalities found in children with the syndrome kwashiorkor. This analogy is pursued in the discussion, using both the relevant literature available and the findings described in Part II of the thesis. One important question raised is whether the ratio of essential amino acids contained in the diets at present force fed to the premature infant might be less than optimal for normal growth and brain development.