Excretion of Phenylalanine and Derivatives in Phenylpyruvic Oligophrenia

Quantitative data are presented on the urinary excretion of phenylalanine, phenylpyruvic acid and phenyllactic acid in twenty patients affected with phenylpyruvic oligophrenia. The values, expressed in mg per g of total nitrogen, show inconspicuous differences from patient to patient kept on similar diets. High protein diet or the ingestion of phenylalanine and phenylpyruvic acid result in an increased daily output of phenyl compounds. Data on sweat excretion of phenyl compounds are also presented.