RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE HAND AND WRIST IN PHENYLKETONURIA AND HYPERPHENYLALANINEMIA

A radiograph of the left hand and wrist was taken in 141 children and young adults with phenylketonuria and hyperphenylalaninaemia. Ten (7.1 %) had a bony abnormality and, of these, six (4.3%) showed evidence of reduced bone density, Only one patient had evidence of spiculation of the lower ulnar metaphysis previously described in phenylketonuria, B one maturity was also assessed in 130 patients by the Tanner-Whitehous e (TW2) method, In 28 patients (21.5%) bone age was less than chronolo gical age by 1 year or more, Bone age delay was greater in younger chi ldren on a more restricted diet with a lower intake of natural protein .