Acetone in children - symptoms, causes and treatment

The most important thing that parents should understand about acetone in a child is that it is not a disease, but a natural physiological process related to metabolism. The body resorts to this option as an alternative way of obtaining energy. Acetone in children is in no way related to bacteria and viruses. An increase in acetone in the urine signals a lack of glucose in the body, which leads to an increase in the concentration of ketones (products of partial fat breakdown) in the blood.

We have prepared an article in which we talk about the mechanism of acetone formation in children, its causes and symptoms, and most importantly, how to react correctly, what measures to take to deal with the problem.

How does acetone appear in a child's urine?
The formation of all human organs and systems occurs already during intrauterine development, however, in childhood, many systems cannot yet perform their functions 100%. Acetone in the urine is one of the consequences of improper metabolic processes.

There are carbohydrates in the child's diet. In the process of digesting carbohydrates, glucose is absorbed into the blood and provides the body with energy. But part of it accumulates in the liver, forming a reserve of glucose in the form of glycogen, forming an energy reserve. Glycogen is used up during high physical and mental activity. Children's glycogen reserve is small, and energy expenditure is high.

When there is a shortage of glucose, the breakdown of fats begins. The body receives the necessary energy, but at the same time, if the child did not receive a portion of glucose in time, the intensity of fat splitting increases, ketones enter the blood, which are the culprits. They spread quickly in the body and have a toxic effect (poisoning), acetonemia begins - acetone irritates the vomiting center of the brain, the risk of dehydration increases.

Causes of acetonemia
The main factors affecting elevated acetone in a child:

• unbalanced diet - lack of carbohydrates (source of glucose), predominance of proteins and fats;
• systematic malnutrition and, conversely, overeating;
• deficiency of enzymes responsible for assimilation of carbohydrates;
• overconsumption of glucose - with increased mental and physical exertion, in connection with trauma, stressful situations, with frequent infectious diseases, especially if vomiting and diarrhea are present in the symptoms.

Depending on what caused the violation, two types of acetone in children are distinguished:

1. primary - related to nutrition and lifestyle;
2. secondary – the consequence of a transferred infection, diseases of the endocrine system, central nervous system.

The primary idiopathic acetonemic syndrome, which is associated with a genetic factor, should be highlighted separately.

Symptoms of increased acetone in a child
The age at which the first signs of acetone may appear in a child is 2-3 years. The situation may worsen (cases of acetonemic syndrome are more frequent) at 7-8 years of age. After the age of 12, such signs stop in most children.

The most common signs of acetone in children:

• nausea, frequent attacks of vomiting with the smell of acetone, repeated for one or several days;
• abdominal pain;
• liquid stool with a pronounced smell of acetone;
• the smell of acetone from the mouth;
• rare urination, reduced amount of urine during urination;
• decreased appetite, general weakness;
• the temperature with acetone rises to high values (38-38.5 °) and cannot be brought down by any means.

Despite the rather telling symptoms, only a qualified doctor can diagnose a child with "acetonemia", since the smell of acetone can indicate a lack of insulin (high probability of diabetes). Therefore, when alarming signs appear, in no case should you engage in self-medication, it is necessary to make an appointment with a pediatrician, who can refer the child to other specialized specialists for further examination.

How to reduce acetone and monitor the child's condition?
The basis of the treatment of acetonemia is the fight against acetone, and the elimination of the causative factor. Thus, since increased acetone in a child is associated with a deficiency of glucose, the main drugs against acetone are sweets or any products that can quickly replenish the supply of glucose, normalize metabolic processes in the body, and stop the process of splitting fats.

What to do if the child cannot eat sweets and drink sweet soda due to vomiting? In this case, a dropper with glucose will be needed to restore hydration and metabolic processes in the child's body.

As for the removal of intoxication, the most effective means is abundant drinking. It is recommended to give children not ordinary water, but sweet drinks: tea, sweetened water with honey, compote, carbonated drinks. Drink should be given often in small portions.

In addition, the doctor can prescribe the child to take drugs to remove toxins (adsorbents) and a cleansing enema.