Acetone in the urine of a child: causes, symptoms, norms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Acetone in the urine of a child is a fairly common condition of the body that can develop both in practically he althy children and as a result of a serious chronic illness. In any case, this is a dangerous condition that can quickly regress and become a threat to life. The article will discuss the causes of acetone in the urine of a child, symptoms and treatment. Parents will be able to learn what to do during a crisis and how to avoid it.

Reasons

For the first time, parents encounter this disease quite suddenly. An absolutely he althy child suddenly begins to vomit profusely. His body temperature rises, he becomes lethargic and lethargic. The child's urine smells like acetone.

Smell is the first sign of the onset of illness. This condition is called acetonemia. The cause of acetone in the urine of a child is a violation of fat and carbohydrate metabolism. The most common and simple method for diagnosing this dangerous condition is to detect ketone cells in the urine.

Ketone cells are acetoacetic acid or, simply, acetone, which is formed in the liver as a result of the processing of trace elements that enter thebody with food. Acetone, in a small amount, is a source of energy, but with its excess, the body is poisoned, which reacts to this with profuse vomiting.

There are many reasons for the development of this condition in a child:

• long-term antibiotics,
• colds,
• eating carbohydrate or protein foods,
• food poisoning.

In addition, stress, excessive physical activity, fasting, if the body temperature is high for a long time, can provoke such a reaction of the body.

Acetonemic crisis and syndrome

Acetone in the urine of a child is a very urgent problem these days. Doctors believe that this disease most often affects very active children, mobile and emotional. As a rule, these are boys who do not gain weight well, that is, they have a thin physique. Due to the high activity of the child, he has an overexpenditure of energy, as a result of which the body begins to consume its accumulated fat reserves.

So, what does acetone in the urine of a child mean? Why does this terrible state occur? How to recognize and treat it?

Acetone accumulates in the blood, which causes an acetone crisis. If such reactions of the body are periodically repeated, then the disease develops into acetonemic syndrome. Most often, such painful conditions disappear in adolescence, but until the child grows up, parents need to monitor his he alth,keep a diet, temper the body and walk more often in the fresh air.

Acetonemic crisis may be caused by:

• overwork,
• long trip,
• overexcitement,
• overwork,
• errors in the diet.

Most often, oversaturation of the body with ketone bodies occurs as a result of excessive consumption of fatty foods. The fact is that the ability of the child's body to absorb fats is reduced, and even a single excessive consumption of unhe althy food can provoke attacks of vomiting.

But the reason for the increase in acetone in the urine of a child can also be a lack of nutrition or prolonged fasting. When the body does not receive enough nutrients, it uses its internal reserves. That is, it processes internal fat, and as a result of this process, a huge amount of acetone is released into the blood. Therefore, it is very risky for children to arrange fasting days, fasting and select diets without consulting and supervising a doctor.

An increase in acetone in the urine of a child can occur suddenly, without any precursors. Occasionally, before a crisis, the child may not have an appetite. At the same time, he becomes lethargic, experiences weakness, drowsiness. He has nausea, abdominal pain. The urine of the child smells of acetone, the same smell is felt from the mouth. These are all symptoms of impending vomiting. It can be one-time and indomitable. The child cannot eat or drink. Any attempt to feed or drink him leads to new bouts of vomiting.

Temperatures tend to rise to 38-39°C. The child's skin turns pale, an unhe althy blush appears on the cheeks. With frequent vomiting, dehydration occurs. But the most characteristic symptom of acetone in the urine of a child and the development of acetonemia is a sharp smell from the mouth, urine and vomit.

Why is acetone in the urine most often increased in children?

Acetonemia develops in children aged 1 to 14 years. Why in children? Adults get sick too. They are prone to stress, infections, but they do not develop this condition. The exception is people with diabetes.

Physiological characteristics of the child's body, due to which this condition develops:

• Children are very active, so their need for energy is higher than that of adults.
• They don't have glucose stores like adults.
• They have a physiological lack of enzymes that are involved in the destruction of ketone cells.

Vomiting can be the result of a disease such as diabetes, intestinal infections, liver damage, kidney damage, brain tumor, concussion. But in most cases, acetonemic vomiting occurs in perfectly he althy children with neuro-arthritic diathesis. This is a genetic metabolic disorder. Typically, such children have a good memory, are inquisitive, easily excitable, they are ahead of their peers in development, but lag behind in weight gain. This diathesis disrupts the metabolism of uric acid and purines, and this in adulthood leads to the development of urolithiasis, a diseasejoints, diabetes and obesity.

Elevation of acetone in the blood and urine of a child may first occur during the first year of life and recur until adolescence. As a rule, after the age of 14, the syndrome disappears in most children.

Crisis symptoms

So, the main symptoms by which parents can guess that the child has a crisis:

• Multiple vomiting.
• Lack of appetite, nausea, refusal to drink and eat.
• Abdominal pain.
• Decreased urine output, dry and pale skin, dry tongue, weakness.
• First, there is excitement, which is replaced by drowsiness, weakness, lethargy, sometimes convulsions are possible.
• Smell of acetone.
• Increased body temperature.
• Liver enlargement.
• Change in blood and urine tests.

Overexcitation, acute respiratory infections, infections, moving, overwork, excess fatty foods can provoke a crisis.

How to determine the presence of acetone in the urine?

Today, you can do it yourself with the help of special test strips, which are freely sold in pharmacies. The method of analysis is based on the type of litmus paper. An indicator is attached to the tip of the test, which is impregnated with an acetone-sensitive reagent.

The analysis can only be carried out with fresh urine. The test strip is dipped into the liquid for several minutes, after which the result is evaluated. The color of the indicator is compared with the scale that is printed on the package, and the level of acetone in the urine is visually determined. The result can be either positive or negative.

The norms of acetone in the urine of a child are as follows:

• if the result shows the presence of acetone, which corresponds to mild severity (indicator from 0.5 to 1.5 mmol / l), then the child can be treated at home;
• if of moderate severity (indicator from 1.5 to 4 mmol / l), while the child cannot be drunk, then treatment should be carried out in a hospital;
• in severe condition (indicator from 4 to 10 mmol/l), urgent hospitalization is required.

Acetone in urine in children: causes and treatment

Vomiting attacks can be prevented, you should carefully look at the child. If he complains of nausea, lethargy, pain in the abdomen (in the navel) - these are signs of an incipient crisis. To prevent an attack of vomiting, it is necessary to give plenty of fluids, in small portions, every 15-20 minutes. It is necessary to water the child with water without gas, tea with lemon. He should drink about 1.5 - 2 liters per day. You should also give the child medications such as Smecta, Enterosgel, Phosphalugel. If the temperature starts to rise, you need to do an enema with cool water - this will help bring it down a little.

At the very first signs of vomiting, hunger is shown to the child, but the drink must be given. It is better to drink in small portions - a teaspoon every five minutes. With the onset of vomiting, the liquid should be injected with a pipette into the mouth in drip mode. It should be remembered that the body temperature will be elevated until intoxication ends, that isuntil the body is clear of acetone.

During a crisis, if the treatment is carried out at home, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of acetone in the urine.

If the child's condition does not improve, vomiting continues, it is necessary to seek help from specialists. The doctor will definitely put a dropper, which will help in the fight against ketone bodies and dehydration.

With proper and timely treatment of the child, with acetone in the urine, the symptoms of the disease subside for 3-5 days. After recovery, conditions should be created so that the crisis does not happen again.

Acetone in the urine of a child: treatment of the syndrome

If acetone has risen once, you should consult a pediatrician about the need for an examination of the child's body (general urine and blood tests, blood sugar tests, ultrasound of the liver and other abdominal organs). If the increase in acetone occurs periodically, then the child needs to adjust the diet and lifestyle, as well as to follow a constant diet.

It is necessary to normalize the daily routine, ensure a long night's sleep, daily walks on the street are mandatory. Children need to limit watching TV, computer, physical and mental stress. You can and should go in for sports, but not at a professional level. Very good if you have the opportunity to visit the pool.

In case of repeated crises, you should follow a diet. Fatty varieties of fish and meat, smoked meats, marinades, mushrooms, cream, sour cream, tomatoes are removed from the diet,sorrel, oranges, cocoa, coffee. It is forbidden to consume carbonated drinks, fast food, chips, nuts, crackers, which are saturated with preservatives, essences and dyes. But every day the child should eat cookies, fruits, sugar, honey, jam. But, of course, in reasonable quantities.

Which doctor to contact

In case of frequent repetitions of an increase in the level of acetone in the blood, and also if the child has a fever, drowsiness, lethargy, it is necessary to call a pediatrician. As soon as the child's condition improves, it is useful to consult a gastroenterologist and an endocrinologist. In addition, you should contact a competent nutritionist who will help you choose the right balanced diet.

Recommended Meals

Children who are prone to acetonemic crises organize fractional dietary meals. Spicy, fatty and dairy products, smoked meats, fresh fruits are excluded from food.

The child should be fed in small portions: he should eat 5-6 times a day.

Food should be neither cold nor hot. In addition, the drinking regime should be observed (he should drink 1.5–2 liters per day).

How to prevent the development of the disease

To prevent the possibility of acetonemia, the child must follow a he althy lifestyle. His life should be measured and calm.

It is necessary to ensure that he gains weight well, is active, and protect him from stress and shocks.

Acetonemic syndrome is an agepeculiarity. As the child gets older, this problem will most likely disappear.

Instead of a conclusion

So, acetone in the urine of a child is a dangerous condition if you do not provide him with timely help. Such children need constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, adherence to the correct diet and daily routine. Parents should have test strips at home to help quickly determine the condition of the child and provide timely assistance.