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Is There Anything Besides Hyperphenylalaninemia That Can Cause Musty Body Odor?
Question: Is there anything besides hyperphenylalaninemia that can cause an all-over, musty body odor in a young child, boy, age 6, who has smelled musty since he was a toddler?
Brief Answer:
Phenylketonuria is the only disorder which causes musty body odor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Phenylketonuria ia the only genetic disorder responsible for musty body odor.
This odor is present in children born since birth.
The presence of phenylalanine in body is responsible for the odor.
Phenylalanine is present in large number of food products like milk, cheese, nuts, beans, meat etc.
Complete restriction of phenylalanine or foods containing phenylalanine is the best management.
However, restriction of phenylalanine has to be right from birth.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Phenylketonuria is the only disorder which causes musty body odor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Phenylketonuria ia the only genetic disorder responsible for musty body odor.
This odor is present in children born since birth.
The presence of phenylalanine in body is responsible for the odor.
Phenylalanine is present in large number of food products like milk, cheese, nuts, beans, meat etc.
Complete restriction of phenylalanine or foods containing phenylalanine is the best management.
However, restriction of phenylalanine has to be right from birth.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you very much for your reply.
The boy is six years old, and phenylalanine has not ever been restricted from his diet. You said it must be restricted from birth. Is there ANY way to diminish or manage his musty odor from this age forward, or is this something he will experience into adulthood, for the rest of his life? Will the odor get worse when he reaches puberty?
The boy is six years old, and phenylalanine has not ever been restricted from his diet. You said it must be restricted from birth. Is there ANY way to diminish or manage his musty odor from this age forward, or is this something he will experience into adulthood, for the rest of his life? Will the odor get worse when he reaches puberty?
Brief Answer:
Avoiding foods containing pheylalanine will remove musty odor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The musty odor is due to presence of phenylalanine in diet.
If phenylalanine is removed from the diet, the must odor will disappear.
Common foods containing phenylalanine are milk, cheese, beans, eggs, nuts, fish, chicken and meat.
Foods which can be safely taken are rice, pasta, bread, fruits, vegetables and cereals.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Avoiding foods containing pheylalanine will remove musty odor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The musty odor is due to presence of phenylalanine in diet.
If phenylalanine is removed from the diet, the must odor will disappear.
Common foods containing phenylalanine are milk, cheese, beans, eggs, nuts, fish, chicken and meat.
Foods which can be safely taken are rice, pasta, bread, fruits, vegetables and cereals.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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