Maternal phenylketonuria is an important health concern during pregnancy because:

Question

1. it is a recognized cause of preterm labor.
2. the fetus may develop neurologic problems.
3. a pregnant woman is more likely to die without dietary control.
4. women with phenylketonuria are usually retarded and should not reproduce.

Answer 1

2
1. Incorrect. Maternal PKU has no effect on labor.
2. Correct. Children born to women with untreated PKU are more likely to be born with mental retardation, microcephaly, congenital heart disease, and low birth weight.
3. Incorrect. Women without dietary control of PKU are more likely to miscarry or bear a child with congenital anomalies.
4. Incorrect. Screening for undiagnosed maternal PKU at the first prenatal visit may be warranted, especially in individuals with a family history of the disorder, with low intelli-gence of uncertain etiology, or who have given birth to microcephalic infants.