Proteins in pregnancy

Table 13.3 Recommended daily intake of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and protein in pregnancy and lactation for women with MPKU [26]...

The Dietary Recommended Intake (DRI) for protein in pregnancy is 71 g/day [3]. This recommendation provides an additional 21 g over nonpregnancy protein recommendations in order to support the growth of the placenta and fetal tissue. Medical food is the major source of protein for individuals with PKU. When protein is supplied as medical food containing L-amino acids, it is oxidized more rapidly than whole protein, and therefore the amount of protein needed is greater than normal (1.2 times the DRI or 85 g/day). In severe PKU, medical food provides about 80 % of the protein or about 68 g protein per day. A simple way to assure that adequate protein is being provided is to meet the DRI for protein from amino acid-based medical food alone. 

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