International PKU Day

International PKU Day is observed annually on 28 June.

It aims to raise awareness about Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly break down the amino acid phenylalanine.

The observance was established in 2013 by the European Society for Phenylketonuria and Allied Disorders Treated as Phenylketonuria (E.S.PKU) during its delegates' meeting in Antwerp, Belgium.

The date was chosen to commemorate the birthdays of Robert Guthrie and Horst Bickel, two pioneers whose work transformed the diagnosis and dietary treatment of PKU.

The day encourages patients, families, healthcare professionals, advocacy organizations, researchers, public bodies, and the wider community to promote PKU awareness, early diagnosis, lifelong treatment, and a better quality of life for people living with the condition.
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