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Causes of the smell of acetone from the mouth of a child: important information for parents

Causes of the smell of acetone from the mouth of a child: important information for parents

Causes of the smell of acetone from a child's mouth

Acetonemic syndrome is a condition of the body characterized by the presence of an excessive amount of ketone bodies in the blood. The syndrome can be either a separate disease or accompany other diseases. The main symptoms of acetonemic syndrome are nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, as well as spasmodic abdominal pain.

The syndrome most often occurs at the age of 12, while girls suffer from this disease much more often. Read more about how to treat increased acetone in children.

Pediatricians distinguish between idiopathic (primary) syndrome, which is an independent disease, and secondary syndrome, which accompanies the main disease. These include diabetes (decompensated form), hemolytic anemia, thyrotoxicosis, brain injuries, toxic liver damage, and others. The course of acetonemic syndrome and its prognosis largely depends on the course of the underlying disease.

Causes of the smell of acetone from a child's mouth:

  • insufficient amount of carbohydrates in the diet;
  • violation of acid and water-electrolyte balance in the body;
  • abuse of fatty and protein food;
  • strict diet or prolonged fasting;
  • excessive physical exertion;
  • exhaustion of pancreas reserves.

Symptoms of the disease

This condition is characterized by the appearance of frequent acetonemic crises, the first of which occur at the age of two or three years. Symptoms of an acetonemic crisis include:

  • repeated vomiting, diarrhea, temperature rises to 38°С;
  • the smell of acetone from the mouth;
  • lack of appetite;
  • excessive physical activity, which is replaced by drowsiness and apathy;
  • arrhythmia, pale skin, unhealthy blush;
  • spasmodic pains in the stomach;
  • intoxication and dehydration.

We remind you that it is important for parents to know what to do in case of acetonemic vomiting in a child.

Syndrome diagnosis

In order to make the correct diagnosis, the data of the anamnesis, the patient's complaints, clinical manifestations and the results of additional examination are important.

Laboratory studies include a biochemical blood test and a general urinalysis. Note that the norm of acetone in children who do not suffer from this disease does not exceed 0.01 grams.

Instrumental diagnostics is an echocardioscopy, with the help of which you can see indicators of central hemodynamics. For the acetonemic syndrome, the characteristic manifestations are a decrease in the diastolic volume of the left ventricle and a decrease in venous pressure, as well as an increase in the cardiac index due to tachycardia.

Now it is possible to conduct a urine analysis for acetone even at home. For this purpose, special indicator strips are used.

https://dobrobut.com you will be able to familiarize yourself with the qualifications of specialist consultants, as well as learn how to check acetone level in children.

Treatment measures

At the first signs of a crisis, the child should be reassured and given glucose. The use of a sorbent is also extremely important. It can be enterosgel or even activated carbon. To avoid dehydration, mineral water is recommended. It should be given a tablespoon at a time, but often. The use of antispasmodics is justified.

If vomiting does not stop within an hour, it is necessary to call an ambulance, which will provide qualified first aid for acetone in children.

In case of secondary syndrome, the treatment of the main disease is important.

Diet with acetone in children

Irrational nutrition is one of the main causes of acetonemic syndrome. To avoid relapses, parents are advised to strictly monitor the daily diet of the baby. Carbonated drinks, chips, sweets with preservatives are strictly prohibited. You should also not give your child fried and too fatty food. Cereals and vegetable soups should prevail in the diet. Meat and greens are added in small quantities. The value of the diet with acetone in children is extremely important. As a rule, doctors recommend to follow it for two to three weeks after the manifestation of acetonemic syndrome.

How to reduce acetone in a child: tips for parents

As mentioned above, at the first manifestations of the syndrome, it is important to give the child glucose preparations and clean the intestines. For this purpose, a cleansing enema with soda solution, as well as a sorbent, is recommended. The baby should be fed in small portions, but often. The district pediatrician will tell you in more detail how to reduce acetone in a child.

List of recommendations that will help prevent relapse:

  • normalization of the day regime;
  • exclusion of excessive loads;
  • limiting the time of television programs and computer games;
  • proper nutrition with a ban on semi-finished products, fast food and quick snacks;
  • walks in the air, moderately mobile games;
  • sufficient day and night sleep.

In addition, parents should know how dangerous an increase in acetone in children is and what its consequences are.

Forecast

If treatment is started on time, the prognosis is favorable. Timely consultation of a specialist, high-quality diagnosis and effective treatment will help to avoid many serious complications. Most of all, this statement applies to the idiopathic type.

If you have any questions about acetonemic syndrome in children or need the advice of a specialist, we are always happy to help. The medical center has modern equipment, and the reception is conducted by doctors with many years of experience. The specialist will carry out a diagnosis, tell about the first symptoms of increased acetone in the child's urine and methods of prevention. Contact us - we help around the clock.
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Updated: 23.07.2025
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