Phenylketonuria by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Effect of fish oil supplementation on fatty acid status, coordination, and fine motor skills in children with phenylketonuria. J Pediatr. 2007 May;150(5):479-84. Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
Thirty-six patients with Phenylketonuria (1-11 years of age, good metabolic control: plasma phenylalanine < or = 360 micromol/L for > or = 6 months). We determined plasma phospholipid fatty acids, and in patients > 4 years of age (N = 24) the motometric Rostock-Oseretzky Scale (ROS), before and after supplementation with fish oil for 3 months (15 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]/kg body weight daily). Supplementation increased phospholipid n-3 LC-PUFA, decreased n-6 LC-PUFA. Patients tolerated fish oil well. Plasma phenylalanine remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: In patients with Phenylketonuria, fish oil supplementation enhances n-3 LC-PUFA levels and improves motor skills.