Evaluation of trace element and mineral status and related to levels of amino acid in children with phenylketonuria

•We evaluate trace elements, amino acids status in children with phenylketonuria.•We examine whether they were correlated with each other in children with PKU.•Magnesium might be used as diagnostic index in children with Phenylketonuria.

The aim of the present study was to examine trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb), minerals (Ca, Mg, K), amino acids status in children with phenylketonuria and also whether they were correlated with each other in phenylketonuric patients.It has been found out that the HPA group was significantly lower than the control group with regards to Zn, Se, K, Ca, Mg and Zn/Cr levels (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). In the patients with HPA, significantly strong positive correlations were observed between magnesium and calcium (r = 0.791; p = 0.001), also, indicates negative significant correlation between the concentrations of magnesium and phenylalanine (r = −0.591; p = 0.026).The results of this study showed that, in the HPA group, phenylalanine-Mg relationship found, the presence of disease will in the evaluation of phenylalanine and other amino acids, together with the value of magnesium is required to consider.