CHANGES IN DIETARY-TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH PHENYLKETONURIA IN EASTERN GERMANY AFTER THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY

The unification of Germany in 1990 resulted in an improved dietetic tr eatment for patients with pku in the eastern parts (ex-GDR). We studie d these conditions in 80 families with pku-children by means of a ques tionnaire. All parents unanimously agreed that the preparation of the diet, the intake of the food, and the appetitive of their children hav e improved due to the availability of the special amino-acid-mixtures Milupa PKU/ Maizena PAM and special low-protein-foods. But nibbling or secretly eating ''forbidden'' food did not decrease because of the eq ually grown offer of other food stuff not so useful for low-protein di et. The social help deteriorated according to the opinion of 71% of th e parent since they are more burdened with the higher expences for spe cial dietetic foods. The preparation and feeding of the special diet i n kindergartens was no longer possible for 10% of the children. The ge neral social situation was felt to have improved in 34%, and to have d eteriorated in 28% of the families. The excellent and good dietetic co ntrol has been improved especially in younger children with pku. Child ren with poor dietetic control, however, had no advantage of the impro ved conditions.