The smell of acetone after vomiting in a child. The smell of acetone from a child’s mouth: reasons, what to do, treatment methods, prevention of relapses. Genetic predisposition to acetonomy

The smell of acetone from a child's mouth is very alarming symptom, the causes of which must be established and appropriate treatment carried out.

In attempts to eliminate bad smell Many parents first try to increase the frequency of brushing their teeth. But the symptom is persistent, so improving hygiene will not rid the child of it.

The list of common accompanying manifestations includes attacks of nausea and vomiting, dizziness, irritability of the child and weakness.

As soon as parents have discovered an acetone odor from their child’s mouth, it is necessary to consult a doctor without wasting time.

Causes of unpleasant odor

The smell of acetone and solvent certainly means failure of the metabolic process and the functioning of some organs.

The formation of acetone in the body is influenced by ketone bodies, an excessive amount of which appears against the background of active breakdown of fats. Fats, in turn, release acetone.

With active decay, the body is not able to quickly remove the substance, and it settles in the lungs and kidneys. The process of breaking down fats is required to replenish energy in the body.

If a child has a normal metabolism, then the body breaks down glucose to obtain energy, but its deficiency leads to dangerous consequences.

The most common reasons why a child smells of acetone from his mouth is endocrine disorders.

Diabetes

The smell of acetone in children is one of the signs of diabetes. The disease develops against the background of a serious lack of insulin, which is involved in the processing of glucose.

Excess glucose begins to accumulate in the blood, since it is not able to penetrate into cells without insulin.

The body, in turn, receives excessive intoxication due to the increased concentration of the harmful substance in the blood.

The main symptoms of diabetes mellitus in children are the following:

  1. Apathy that is not typical for a child, lack of strength, lack of desire to play, increased tearfulness.
  2. Stopping weight gain or losing it with a normal diet.
  3. The child often asks for a drink. Thirst may appear repeatedly even at night.
  4. The child's skin becomes unusually dry and sometimes peels.

It is necessary to seek medical help. The doctor will determine the extent of the disease and prescribe insulin therapy, which is important for normal life.

Kidney and liver diseases

Acetone odor from the mouth of a child may appear due to serious problems with the functioning of the kidneys or liver.

All toxins and breakdown products are eliminated from the body with the help of the cleansing organ - the liver and the excretory organ - the kidneys.

In case of disturbances in the functioning of these organs, the removal of toxins from the body occurs in insufficient quantities.

Among the toxins that are not removed is acetone, which later manifests itself as odor from the child’s mouth and urine.

Liver failure may also manifest as yellowing of the skin, eyeballs, pain in the right side, which radiates to the lower back. On palpation the organ is enlarged.

Liver disorders cause the skin and urine to smell like acetone. This symptom indicates that the disease is very advanced and the need to urgently consult a doctor.

Endocrine diseases – thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is responsible for the normal state of human hormonal levels. Cases often occur when the organ has stopped producing the required amount of hormones or, on the contrary, produces too many of them.

If a child smells of acetone on his breath, this may be due to excessive production of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is accompanied by the following list of symptoms:

  1. Frequent presence elevated temperature bodies.
  2. Feeling hot.
  3. A state of increased excitement.
  4. Or, on the contrary, excessive inhibition.
  5. Sometimes there may be pain in the area.
  6. When testing for acetone, the result is positive.

A deeply advanced disease can lead to coma or death. Timely contact with a specialist allows you to apply individual hormone therapy and adjust hormonal levels.

Viruses and infections of the ENT organs

Sometimes parents notice that their children smell like solvent on their breath. This symptom is a harbinger possible diseases nasopharynx or the addition of ARVI.

During the active phase of the disease, the child loses appetite and metabolism increases.

With a deficiency of glucose, the body begins to process fats, causing a large increase in ketones and acetone, thereby creating bad breath.

In addition, there may be a sore throat, runny nose, fever and weakness. The situation requires immediate contact with a specialist.

The doctor will prescribe a course of drug therapy and IV drips to relieve severe intoxication of the body.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Diseases digestive system often accompanied by the presence of the smell of acetone from the child’s mouth. This is explained by the enhanced metabolic process, namely the rate of decomposition of proteins and fats.

A related problem in children with gastrointestinal diseases is dehydration.

In addition to damage to the gastrointestinal tract by infectious pathogens, there are the following reasons that can cause the smell of acetone in a child’s mouth:

It is quite difficult to establish the cause on your own, so you should not waste time on self-medication and you need to carry out certain stages of diagnosis.

Acetonemia

The disease develops predominantly in male children. A feature of the disease is its exceptional ability to be inherited.

At the moment, there are two types of acetonemia: acetonemic syndrome (manifests from the very birth of the child) and acetonemic crisis (manifests as a one-time attack).

If parents think that their child’s breath smells like solvent, they should immediately call an ambulance. The next manifestation of the disease will be prolonged vomiting and diarrhea.

Independent measures to eliminate the disease will lead nowhere. In moments of inaction, time is lost to save the baby’s life.

  1. Give your child sweet drinks (compote, tea).
  2. If the body temperature is above 38 degrees, give children an antipyretic.
  3. After each bout of vomiting ends, give the child a couple of tablespoons of regular drinking water at intervals of 10 minutes.
  4. Stop feeding the child until the doctors arrive.

As a treatment, droppers with a special solution are used to cleanse the body and relieve an attack of intoxication.

Treatment

There is no single standard for treating the smell of acetone from a child’s mouth. An unpleasant odor has its own reasons in each case, after identifying which, a specialist in individually prescribes treatment.

  1. During the period of exacerbation of symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction, the diet for children should include easily digestible nutritious foods. For example, buckwheat or oatmeal. It is possible to use a small amount of puree prepared in water without oil.
  2. After the attacks of vomiting and diarrhea have subsided, you can consume dairy products, boiled meat and vegetable soup.
  3. At the stage of complete recovery, after the smell of acetone from the mouth has disappeared, the child is allowed a standard diet. But you need to stick to eating healthy foods. Eliminate fatty, salty and smoked foods from your diet.
  4. Each stage of the disease must contain drinking plenty of fluids. As drinks you can use water, compotes, alkaline water without gases, tea.

This nutritional tactic makes it easier for the body affected by toxins to work. Liquid is required to stimulate the elimination of harmful substances and prevent dehydration during vomiting and diarrhea.

Children's doctor Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky recommends that you always adhere to the preventive measures that need to be instilled in a child who has the smell of acetone from the mouth.

Your daily diet and daily life should include the following rules:

  1. Minimize the consumption of animal fats (butter, eggs, dairy products).
  2. Have test strips at home to determine the amount of acetone.
  3. It is advisable to drink slightly warmed water to improve the rate of absorption of liquid.
  4. In case of regular attacks of acetonemia, purchase the drug Nicotinamide. This vitamin complex, which is aimed at relieving intoxication and removing harmful substances from the body.
  5. If the reason that your breath smells like acetone is diabetes, then recommendations alone are not enough. A mandatory course of hormonal therapy is required, which will be prescribed by an endocrinologist.

If a child has the smell of acetone at least once, it is necessary to take him outside more often and control the moderation of physical activity.

Excessive mobility leads to energy consumption and requires a certain amount of glucose.

Useful video

Nothing frightens a mother more than incomprehensible changes in the baby’s body. That is, there are changes, the mother sees them, but cannot explain them. This is where confusion and anxiety come from. The smell of acetone from a child’s mouth can cause a lot of anxiety. Scary things come to mind. Evgeniy Komarovsky, a well-known pediatrician in Russia and the CIS who enjoys unquestioned authority among millions of mothers, tells parents about what this can mean and how to help the baby.

What it is?

The occurrence of the syndrome is due to the fact that the content of ketone bodies in the child’s blood significantly increases, which, in turn, are formed as a result of the breakdown of fat. During this complex process, acetone is released. It is excreted in the urine, if there is even a slight deficiency of fluid in the body, it enters the blood, irritates the stomach and intestines, and has an aggressive effect on the brain. This is how acetonemic vomiting occurs - a dangerous condition that requires immediate help.

The formation of acetone begins when the child's liver runs out of glycogen reserves. It is this substance that helps the body draw energy for life. If the load is heavy (stress, illness, active physical activity), energy is consumed faster and there may not be enough glucose. That’s when fats begin to break down, releasing the “culprit” - acetone.

This condition rarely occurs in adults because they have much richer glycogen reserves. Children with their still imperfect livers can only dream of such things. Hence the frequency of development of syndromes in childhood.

At risk are children with a thin build, suffering from neuroses and sleep disorders, fearful, and excessively active. According to doctors' observations, they develop speech earlier and have higher rates of mental and intellectual development compared to their peers.

Symptoms

We can talk about the onset of acetonemic vomiting when a child develops severe nausea and vomiting, which can quickly lead to fluid loss, salt imbalance, and in severe form - to the appearance of cramps, abdominal pain, concomitant diarrhea and in case of failure to provide timely assistance - To fatal outcome from dehydration.

The first “swallows” of the syndrome can be noticed when the child turns 2-3 years old, most often crises can recur at the age of 6-8 years, and by the age of 13, as a rule, all signs of the disease disappear completely, since the liver is already formed and the body is At this age, a sufficient supply of glucose accumulates.

The causes of exacerbations of acetone syndrome lie in many factors, including poor nutrition and family history. If the child had relatives with metabolic disorders (with diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, padagra), then the risk of the condition occurring in the baby increases.

A doctor can accurately establish a diagnosis based on lab tests urine and blood.

Komarovsky about acetone in children

Acetonemic syndrome is not a disease, says Komarovsky, but just individual feature metabolism in a child. Parents should have a detailed understanding of exactly what processes occur in the child’s body. They were briefly described above.

The causes of the syndrome are a rather controversial issue, says the doctor. Among the main ones, he names diabetes mellitus, fasting, liver disease, disorders of the pancreas and adrenal glands, severe infectious diseases, and also, oddly enough, concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Release of Dr. Komarovsky’s program on the topic “Acetone in Children”

Heredity alone is not enough here, the doctor is sure. Much depends on the child himself, on the ability of his kidneys to excrete harmful substances, from liver health, from speed metabolic processes, in particular on how quickly fats can be broken down.

The doctor emphasizes that parents who detect the smell of acetone from their child’s mouth should not panic. However, it is impossible to leave it unattended; if necessary, mom and dad must be ready to provide first aid.

Treatment

The treatment of the syndrome should appeal to kids, as it is quite tasty. The main remedy for eliminating glucose deficiency is sweet drinks and sweets. A child with acetone syndrome should receive them in sufficient quantities. Therefore, at the first suspicion, as soon as the parents smell acetone from the child, they should start giving him glucose. This can be a drug in tablets or in solution. The main thing is to give him water often - a teaspoon every five minutes if we are talking about a baby, a tablespoon or two tablespoons at the same intervals if the child is already quite large.

It is advisable to give the child a cleansing enema with soda (a teaspoon of soda and a glass warm water), and prepare a supply of “Regidron” in case you need to restore the water-salt balance.

If parents manage to seize the initiative in time, then this will all end. If the slightest delay is allowed, a more severe manifestation of the syndrome - vomiting - is likely to occur.

With acetonemia, it is usually so intense that it is no longer possible to give the child sweet tea or compote. Everything he drank immediately ends up outside. Here Komarovsky recommends acting quickly. You should call a doctor, it's better " Ambulance" To stop such vomiting in most cases it is necessary to administer to the child through a dropper. a large number of sweet liquid - pharmacy glucose.

In addition, the baby could benefit from an injection of an anti-vomiting drug (usually Cerucal is used). When the gag reflex subsides under the influence of medications, you need to start actively feeding the child with sweet water, tea with sugar, and glucose. The main thing is to drink really plenty. It should be remembered, says Komarovsky, that Cerucal and drugs like it last on average 2-3 hours. Parents only have this time to fully restore fluid loss and glucose supply, otherwise vomiting will start again and the child’s condition will worsen.

It will be better if the baby suffers a severe attack of the syndrome not at home, but in a hospital. Self-medication, Evgeniy Olegovich emphasizes, can cause great harm, so it will be better if the treatment is carried out under the supervision of specialists.

Crises of acetone syndrome are easier to prevent than to urgently eliminate, says Evgeniy Olegovich. There is no need to treat the condition with anything special, you should introduce certain rules V daily life the family in general and the child in particular.

    The child's diet should contain as little animal fat as possible. Ideally, there should be none at all. In other words, you should not give your child butter, large amounts of meat, margarine, or eggs; you should give milk very carefully. Smoked meats, soda, pickles, pickled vegetables and seasonings are strictly prohibited. And less salt.

    After a crisis, the child should be given food at any request, since the baby’s body must quickly restore its glycogen reserve. The child should eat at least 5-6 times a day. The total duration of the diet is about a month. Komarovsky recommends giving him porridge with water, mashed potatoes, oven-baked apples, dried fruit compote, raisins in pure form, lean meat in small quantities, fresh fruits and vegetables, vegetable broths and soups. If a child asks to eat more often, between meals you can give him so-called light carbohydrates - banana, semolina with water.

  • IN home medicine cabinet families where a child lives “with acetone” should have special pharmacy test strips for determining ketone bodies in urine. While you are giving your child another dose of glucose, you can do this test at home. The result will be assessed visually: the test shows “+/-” - the child’s condition is characterized as mild, the amount of ketone bodies does not exceed 0.5 mmol per liter. If the test shows “+”, the amount of ketone bodies is approximately 1.5 mmol per liter. This is also a mild condition and the child can be treated at home. A strip that shows “++” indicates that there are about 4 mmol of ketone bodies per liter in the urine. This is the state medium degree gravity. It is advisable to go with your child to the doctor. “+++” on the test is a distress signal! This means that the child is in serious condition, the amount of ketone bodies is more than 10 mmol per liter. Urgent hospitalization is required.

    When giving a child plenty of fluids, parents should know that the liquid will be absorbed faster if it is not cold, but has a temperature similar to the baby’s body temperature.

    To prevent repeated attacks, Komarovsky advises buying the vitamin preparation “Nicotinamide” (the main vitamin PP) at the pharmacy and giving the child according to the instructions, as it is effectively involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism.

    The described treatment regimen, Komarovsky emphasizes, is relevant for most types of acetone syndrome, with the exception of the condition caused by diabetes mellitus. With this serious illness, there is no glucose deficiency as such; there is another problem - it is not absorbed by the body. Such “acetone” should be treated in a different way, and this should be done by an endocrinologist.

  • A child who has suffered an acetonemic crisis at least once needs to spend more time on fresh air, walk a lot, play sports. However, parents definitely need to supervise physical exercise your child. They should not be excessive; the child should not be allowed to train or go for a walk on an empty stomach. The release of energy will require glucose, and if it is not enough, the attack may recur.

  • Unpleasant smell
  • Doctor Komarovsky
  • Smell of acetone

Glucose is considered the main source of energy for the body. Less effective substances are animal cells. If the body does not have enough glucose, fats are absorbed, which can negatively affect well-being. Negative health components are eliminated through the kidneys and respiratory system.

This is why the smell of acetone appears from a child’s mouth. Negative Impact on the body due to an unbalanced diet. Children need to be given more glucose compared to adults.

Diet

In case of increased acetone in children, it is necessary to observe strict diet so that there are no relapses. Products with high content preservatives are strictly prohibited. You should refuse: carbonated drinks, legumes, fried and fatty foods, chips, various sauces, mustard and sour cream, cauliflower.

The diet should keep for two to three weeks. It is necessary to feed the baby vegetable soups, mashed potatoes, porridge. After a week, your child can have boiled or baked dietary meat. And after two weeks you are allowed to give him some greens and vegetables.

The child's body is too weak to prevent overload, all foods should be given gradually.

What does Dr. Komarovsky say about the appearance of acetone odor in children?

According to Komarovsky, acetonemic syndrome is not a disease, but just a peculiar feature of metabolism The child has. It is quite difficult to name the exact cause of the syndrome, the doctor believes. The main ones include: diabetes mellitus, fasting, violation normal operation liver, complex infectious diseases, head injuries.

The doctor says that heredity is additional reason. The development of acetone syndrome is influenced by the child’s condition. Parents should observe the baby and carefully study the symptoms.

For any disease, it is easier to perform preventive measures, than to treat urgently later, says Evgeniy Olegovich. You should not use medications immediately at the first signs of acetone syndrome– this can harm the child. Some rules should be introduced into the daily life of the family and the child in particular.

In the baby's diet, the amount of animal fats should be minimal. It is best to exclude them from the diet altogether. In simple words, it is recommended to refuse butter, meat in large quantities, margarine, eggs. Carbonated drinks, smoked foods, spicy seasonings, and pickles are strictly prohibited.

Portions should be small. Whenever necessary, the baby needs to be brought food, so the glucose in the body will return to normal faster. A child should eat food at least 5-6 times a day. The diet lasts almost a month.

The doctor advises preparing various porridges in water, mashed potatoes, and apples. Raw fruits are prohibited, they can only be eaten baked. You need to give your child more dried fruits and raisins. The diet should include vegetables and lean meat.

Between main meals, experts recommend giving your child a banana and semolina porridge with water. They contain light carbohydrates. The baby should definitely drink a lot of water. It should be warmed to the child’s body temperature.

In an adult, the reasons for the smell of acetone from the mouth can be completely different. If you are concerned about this problem, check it out.

Glucose gives the body energy. If it is not enough, fats are used to improve the performance of all systems, the components of which can negatively affect the condition. Toxin release begins. Children's breath smells like acetone. To solve this problem, you will have to change your diet.

The appearance of the smell of acetone from a child’s mouth is a good reason for an urgent examination by a specialist. Adults need to show Special attention, and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Acetone in the body

There is only one way for acetone to get into a child’s blood. It is considered an element of partial breakdown of fat and protein elements. For this reason, toxic substances called ketones accumulate in cells. Acetone refers specifically to their varieties.

First, ketones are oxidized almost to the point of harmless substances, after which they leave the body in urine and through the lungs. If, in comparison with the amount removed, the growth of toxic components is significantly higher, they are not the most in the best possible way affect the body's systems, including the full functioning of the brain.

Reasons why your child’s breath smells like acetone

Halitosis is often accompanied by an increase in temperature.

Medicine is considering this unpleasant phenomenon Latin word– halitosis. If a child’s (including infants and teenagers) breath smells like acetone, this is a characteristic signal of acetone syndrome.

Often the problem is accompanied by a similar aroma of urine, nausea and vomiting with an increase in body temperature.

The disease acetonemia is perceived by many doctors as a rather serious disease; the child’s appetite decreases as the work of metabolism increases.

This promotes an increase in the number of ketone cells, which is indicated by the following signals:

  • the child’s breath smells like acetone and there is weakness and muscle weakness;
  • pale coloration of the skin surface, and the appearance of bluish circles in the eye area;
  • a sharp rise in body temperature, and it can rise above 38 degrees;
  • paroxysmal pain in the intestinal tract;
  • the occurrence of vomiting immediately after eating food;
  • breath smelling of acetone.

Glucose is recognized as a key primary source of energy supply to body cells. Next, according to formation, adipose tissues are located. With a lack of glucose, cells switch to fats. For this reason, the body gradually accumulates not only acetone, but also other toxic substances. In more detail, the reasons why a child’s breath smells like acetone are indicated in the table below:

Origin of the disease Nature of the disease
Unbalanced dietViolating the rules of eating places an excessive burden on the body. Taking a small amount of glucose causes protein and fat to break down, increasing the percentage of acetone.

The child's body needs an increased supply of glucose.

DiabetesThe disease is associated with impaired carbohydrate metabolism. A small percentage of insulin finds it difficult to cope with the required amount of glucose, which is why it gradually accumulates.

The brain lacks glucose, so it switches the body to an increased operating mode, thereby forming a lot of ketone bodies. The child constantly feels thirsty and frequent urination. Even when a patient has an excellent appetite, he still loses weight.

AcetonemiaWhen a strong acetone smell appears only once, we can talk about an acetone crisis. If the syndrome manifests itself systematically, this indicates acetonemic syndrome.
InfectionThe child's body suffers from dehydration. The risk of developing the disease increases with long-term illnesses and poor food intake. Boys are predominantly affected.
Neuro-arthritic diathesisOften the disease manifests itself in girls. Due to poor liver function, blood cells gradually accumulate ketone elements and uric acid.
Thyroid diseasesThe gland is responsible for the volume of hormones. With any dysfunction, hormones are born in double numbers, which accelerates the breakdown of protein and fatty substances.
Liver and kidney problemsIn the body, these two organs are necessary for filtration, ridding the body of everything that is not needed. If their functioning is not stable, substances begin to accumulate.
ENT diseases, etc.The appearance of a characteristic odor during viral infections and ENT ailments appears due to an increase in metabolic rate and decreased appetite. As a result, accelerated processing of proteins and fats occurs, and an increase in the percentage of ketone bodies.

Diagnostics

Urine analysis for acetone content.

The pediatrician conducts the initial examination of the child. He issues a referral for tests like this:

  • general urine, stool and blood tests;
  • urine and blood analysis for the percentage of glucose, pH, β-hydroxybutyrate, electrolytes, phosphate, creatinine and dimethyl ketone.

A diagnosis is made if examination reveals a high percentage of blood glucose along with abnormal ketones and acidosis. Often, a deficiency of bicarbonate, potassium and phosphate is detected.

If a child’s breath smells like acetone, the pediatrician must order a blood test to determine the percentage of hormones. thyroid gland, and the presence of antibodies.

If there is a suspicion of hyperthyroidism, additional instrumental diagnosis is performed. For this purpose, ultrasound of the thyroid gland or x-ray is used. Ultrasound examination of the kidneys, liver and pancreas is less common.

Treatment of acetone odor and its causes

It’s good if parents contact a specialist as soon as their child’s breath starts to smell like acetone. In this case, the therapeutic course of treatment is aimed at two key areas:

  • supplying blood cells with glucose;
  • rate of ketone elimination.

The liquid is given one teaspoon every 5 minutes to avoid the manifestation of a secondary gag reflex. The drink must be given at night. It is advisable to alternate tea with non-carbonated mineral water or boiled rice. In severe cases of the disease, glucose is injected into the blood intravenously through a dropper.

You cannot force a child to eat food against his wishes. If he himself asks for food, you can start with bread, cookies, baked apples, light soup or puree made from various vegetables. To avoid dehydration, adults must give the child the required amount of water.

If an increased percentage of acetone is detected, the following medications are used in therapy:

  • − absorb poisons and remove them from the blood;
  • − restores acid-base level;
  • - just like Atoxil, it makes it difficult to absorb toxic substances through the intestinal tissue.


Immediately after providing first aid and stopping acute period illness, the baby is given the drug “Stimol”. It supplies the body with energy and improves general state. Betargin restores liver function quite well. For pancreatic dysfunction, doctors prescribe Creon. Its components improve digestion and give the child vigor.

Preventive measures

Be sure to regularly visit the dentist with your child as a preventative measure!

It is not advisable to drown out the smell of acetone with air fresheners and toothpastes., otherwise in the future you will have to fight with serious illnesses. It is good if the family visits the dentist once every six months, since this becomes a habit from an early age.

First preventive actions start in early childhood in the form of high-quality teeth cleaning. Adults should teach their child to brush their teeth for a long time, and at least twice a day in the morning and evening time, and after each meal, rinse your mouth well with plain water.

Habit formation should be carried out immediately after the appearance of the first teeth. Until the age of 7, the mother should be nearby and ensure that the child cleans the teeth and the space between them efficiently and for a long time.

Many fruits, berries and vegetables cope with mechanical cleansing of the oral cavity from various types of bacteria. As for mints chewing gum and sweets, they dry out the inside of the mouth, which is an ideal atmosphere for the growth of pathogens. To prevent dryness from appearing, during sports training and in stressful circumstances, the child should drink liquid.

If the child is still too small, teeth are cleaned using special brushes that adults put on their fingers and clean themselves.

Diet

Diet is an important component of treatment for elevated acetone in the body.

With an increased level of acetone in childhood, the child needs to follow a certain diet, as this helps to avoid relapses. First of all, doctors prohibit the consumption of canned food, and recommend completely eliminating the following products from the menu:

  • legumes;
  • sparkling water;
  • fatty, fried, smoked and spicy foods;
  • semi-finished meat products;
  • sour cream, mustard and various sauces;
  • chips;
  • cauliflower.

Dietary nutrition must be followed for 2-3 weeks. It is advisable to feed your baby potato-based purees, vegetable-based first courses and rice porridges. After 7 days, crackers and lean meat are gradually introduced into the menu. Dishes are boiled or baked.

After about 14 days, raw vegetables, parsley, dill and other herbs are added to the diet. New food is introduced into the menu gradually to avoid overloading the body.

Popular questions

A pronounced smell of acetone from a child’s mouth indicates the presence of a disease. Usually the smell gives rise to feelings of apprehension and a lot of questions among parents.

Why might a baby's breath smell like acetone?

The appearance of odor infant may indicate problems with the functioning of the pancreas, since this disease is closely related to the acetone crisis. It is advisable to seek advice from a specialist as soon as possible. First you need to visit a pediatrician and an endocrinologist. These specialists will definitely advise you on the percentage of blood sugar and the presence of other nuances.

The pediatrician will definitely send the baby to donate urine and blood for a thorough examination in the laboratory. If necessary, stool is collected and an ultrasound is performed.

What to do if you smell after vomiting?

The disease indicates an imbalance in metabolism and an acetonomic crisis. This condition manifests itself even before vomiting occurs. Initially, the child loses his appetite and experiences increased fatigue.

After appear painful sensations in the navel area and other troubles. Adults need to call a doctor at home, and until the specialist arrives, gradually give the child a little liquid.

What does Komarovsky say about the smell of acetone from the mouth of children?

Dr. Komarovsky does not think that the smell of acetone is too dangerous for a child. He encourages parents to regard the syndrome as characteristic feature work child's body. The main thing is that adults have a good understanding of what processes are moving in a child’s body at the time of exacerbation of the syndrome.

As for the reasons for its occurrence, the issue is quite controversial. Komarovsky identifies diabetes mellitus, problems with the kidneys, liver and pancreas, infectious processes and traumatic brain injuries as the main ones.

There are a number of diseases in which one of the first symptoms in a child is the unpleasant odor of acetone from the mouth. Heavy breathing with a chemical tint indicates serious malfunctions in the body. What parents should pay attention to first of all in order to identify the causes of bad breath in a child, and what diagnoses to expect from doctors - we will look in more detail in this material.

Causes of acetone halitosis in children

Why does my breath smell like acetone? The formation of acetone occurs due to defective metabolism of proteins and fats (ketosis) in the body, namely, the breakdown of ketone bodies. The reason for the breakdown is a deficiency of glucose, which we need to obtain energy. During a period of deficiency, the body starts the process of burning fat reserves, side effect which is ketone formation, also called ketone bodies. In turn, insulin deficiency aggravates the situation by the fact that ketones are not excreted from the body in a normal manner - the body slows down this process. The smell of acetone from the mouth of a child and an adult is a consequence of the same process - poisoning with toxic ketone bodies , which are excreted from the body through the respiratory system and urinary system. When released into the blood, acetone has an aggressive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and brain. After this, young patients often experience the so-called acetonemic vomiting , as well as temperature. In this case, you should immediately contact a medical institution for qualified help.

note

Let's consider some possible reasons the smell of acetone coming from a child’s mouth using the example of diseases that have to be encountered in such cases:

  • Infectious foci in the gastrointestinal tract;
  • Starvation, malnutrition, food poisoning or dehydration;
  • Diseases of the endocrine system;
  • Acute respiratory viral infection, abnormalities in the functioning of the ENT organs, dental problems;
  • Disturbances in the functioning of the filtration organs - kidneys or liver;
  • Acetonemic syndrome;
  • Diabetes;
  • Hyperthyroidism;
  • Heredity is a predisposition to certain diseases.

To understand how you can identify the cause of a deviation in the body’s functioning, you should pay attention to some characteristic features development of a particular disease.

Diseases of the ENT organs, ARVI or dentistry

The smell of acetone from a child’s mouth may appear before an acute respiratory viral infection appears. This symptom is also caused by inflammatory or infectious diseases of the nasopharynx. Drying of fabrics oral cavity, as well as malnutrition also provoke the development of accelerated ketosis.

  • Fever;
  • Airway obstruction;
  • A sore throat;
  • Runny nose.

Dental problems can also cause a slight smell of acetone in a child's breath.

IN in this case The problem will be solved by treatment recommended by a pediatrician, ENT specialist or pediatric dentist.

Acetonemic syndrome

One of the most common reasons for the smell of acetone on the breath of children is the development acetone crisis , which can be caused by disturbances in the functioning of the body as a result of an excess of ketone bodies in the blood. Symptoms of this syndrome are diagnosed in approximately 7% of children aged 1 to 13 years.

The development of the syndrome is influenced by the child’s heredity : the baby is susceptible to developing this condition if there are people in the family suffering from gout, diabetes mellitus or gallstone disease .

What other factors increase the rate of development of the unpleasant syndrome? : high activity of the child; acute illness or the rehabilitation period after it; stress; malnutrition. Regardless of what exactly the underlying ailment is, the reason for the development of the painful condition is that the breakdown of fats accelerates, and with it the production of toxic ketone bodies.

Symptoms of the disease, in addition to the smell of acetone from the mouth:

  • Weakness, lethargy, malaise;
  • Poor appetite;
  • Pale skin, dark circles under the eyes;
  • Headache;
  • Temperature 37-39°C;
  • Nausea, vomiting;
  • Convulsions;
  • Stomach ache.

It is important to understand that you cannot ignore these signs, nor do you self-medicate. If your child has these symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Diabetes

The smell of acetone from the breath of children can sometimes appear when the level of insulin in the blood decreases and carbohydrate metabolism is impaired. When there is an excess of sugar in the body, The child begins to develop the following symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, in addition to the smell of acetone on the breath:

  • Dry mouth, severe thirst;
  • Frequent urination;
  • Sudden weight loss;
  • Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting;
  • General weakness.

If the child’s heredity also indicates the possible occurrence of this disease, treatment should not be postponed until later.

Gastrointestinal tract infections

There are situations when the smell of acetone from a child’s mouth is caused by acute intestinal infections, dysbacteriosis, inflammation of the stomach. Sometimes the painful condition is caused by too much fatty foods which is given small child. These disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract lead to the accumulation of toxic ketones. Another reason for the appearance unpleasant odor acetone from the child's mouth are helminths.

Symptoms of diseases, in addition to the smell of acetone from the mouth:

  • Cutting pain in the abdomen;
  • Loose stools;
  • Bloating;
  • Gases without normal odor;
  • Poor sleep;
  • Irritability.

At the slightest suspicion of these diseases, parents should immediately consult a pediatrician.

Liver or kidney disease

Since these organs are responsible for filtering substances entering the body, they accumulate a large proportion of waste. Any diseases of the kidneys or liver aggravate the situation by the fact that the cleansing process is disrupted, and harmful substances accumulate in the organs, instead of being eliminated normally. Availability chronic diseases in a baby or an adult child, like nephritis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, also interferes with the natural processes of eliminating toxins. Therefore, harmful substances with an unpleasant odor, including acetone, enter the mouth through the respiratory organs.

Symptoms of diseases, in addition to the smell of acetone from the mouth:

  • The pungent odor of acetone emanating from the child’s skin or present in his urine;
  • Abdominal pain;
  • General weakness;
  • Lack of appetite;
  • Painful sensations under the right rib or in the lumbar region;
  • Yellow skin tone.

These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Hyperthyroidism

Diseases of the thyroid gland can also signal their appearance with the help of unpleasant acetone breath in an infant or older child. Hyperthyroidism causes the release of excessive amounts of iodized thyroid hormones, which leads to an acceleration of metabolic processes in the child's body. This, in turn, provokes the appearance of bad breath. In these cases it is noted the smell of acetone in a child’s mouth at a temperature , and hyperactivity, or lethargy, often observed stressful state . Timely drug treatment helps fight this disease.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Many parents are interested in the opinion of the popular pediatrician Evgeniy Komarovsky about the presence of acetone in the child’s breath and urine.

Here is what Komarovsky says about the smell of acetone from a child’s mouth:

Drug therapy and diet

What to do if your child smells of acetone on his breath? Most qualified specialists will advise you to immediately seek medical help, since there are quite a lot of diseases that cause this striking symptom, and it is possible to calculate it “by eye” only in fairly severe cases, when the child’s body signals many other symptoms. At the same time, self-medication or treatment of the wrong disease can aggravate the health of an infant or older child.

How to understand that the disease is progressing:

  • dry mouth, chapped lips;
  • vomiting even from water;
  • sickly skin color;
  • convulsions;
  • loss of consciousness.

After several of these symptoms appear, the child should be urgently shown to a doctor.

Important: illnesses that cause the smell of acetone in a child’s mouth can cause a lack of appetite in the baby. In this situation, you cannot force him to eat. In cases where the child asks for food, you should boil light soup, puree vegetables, and bake apples.

Treatment

First of all, the hospital will conduct the necessary examinations that will help identify the exact cause of the smell of acetone from the child’s mouth and other symptoms that accompany it. The next step will be to saturate the child’s body with glucose, which is necessary for the proper elimination of toxins. This will be followed by a stage of emergency removal of ketone bodies.

After this, the baby may be prescribed a glucose drip, antispasmodics if there is pain in the abdominal area, and, if necessary, antiemetics. Children in this situation need to drink a lot of water.

A standard set of drugs necessary to remove toxic substances, as well as improve water balance in a fragile body:

  • Regidron;
  • Atoxyl;
  • Smecta.

Other part drug treatment will be aimed at eliminating the root cause that provoked the release of excessive amounts of ketone bodies, and then the smell of acetone from the mouth.

Diet

Depending on the identified disease, the little patient will be prescribed a strict diet that will have to be followed from two weeks to several months.

You can create a menu from the following products:

  • easily digestible vegetables that do not cause strain on the gastrointestinal tract;
  • dietary meat and fish;
  • low-fat dairy products;
  • eggs;
  • all crops other than legumes;
  • crackers and biscuits;
  • baked fruits.

If your child smells of acetone from his or her mouth, you should exclude these foods from your diet:

  • semi-finished products, fast food, sausages and meat by-products, mustard and any sauces;
  • sparkling water;
  • citrus fruits and bananas, cabbage, spinach, legumes;
  • fatty fermented milk products such as sour cream, milk;
  • fried foods.

All these measures are aimed not only at eliminating bad breath, but also at eliminating the cause of bad breath.