What
The acetonaemia or ketosis is a very common condition in childhood and is due to a momentary disturbance of the metabolism of the child who, after burning all the sugars available to the agency begins to burn as a source of alternative energy including fats, thereby determining the increase in blood and urine ketone bodies (hyperketonemia) until it reaches toxic levels. In an attempt to reduce its concentration in the blood, the body begins to eliminate in urine and acetoacetic acids 3-hydroxy-butyric acid (may be highlighted in the urine with the help of stick urine for the presence of ketonuria, sold in all pharmacies) and through the lungs, acetone: the latter, in contact with air, releases the characteristic smell of ripe fruit.
Causes
Acetone and toned bodies that are due, in most cases, deficient food, especially after a feed too high in fat, but can also occur after prolonged fasting during the “stress” infectious febrile that can cause both increased secretion of hormones that metabolize fats that rejection of food, excessive intake of fatty foods too, such as crisps, chocolate, fried, etc.., in conditions of insulin deficiency to the irreplaceable role of this hormone in glucose transport into cells occurs where the energy production processes (diabetes), after an intense and prolonged physical effort, a state of shock, liver disease.
In rare cases even more acetone can be caused by psychological factors, as a strong displeasure, a continuing concern, fear and anger and inborn errors of metabolism and alcohol poisoning alcohol and salicylates.
Symptoms
The classic symptom is the characteristic odor of the food that tastes like overripe fruit and is quickly noticed by parents. The gradual accumulation of ketones in the blood and causes a general feeling of discomfort with the onset of vomiting, stomachache, headache, lifelessness rimmed eyes, sharp face, a strong and intense coating (usually whitish to yellowish ) of the tongue, mucous dehydrated, deep breath and frequent, until, in very rare cases, the onset of impaired consciousness.
Things to do
To ensure that your child suffers from acetone is necessary to take a urine test. If this is positive, will submit it to a good diet low in foods containing fats (including milk and its derivatives) and rich in fat and sweet foods (juices, tea, camomile, fruit juice, soft drinks without added gas) from administered in small sips in case of vomiting. This will replenish its stocks of energy and the body resumes to use as fuel sugars: within 2 -3 days you will see the gradual reduction of ketones in the urine and the baby will feel completely recovered, so as to enable the refeeding which must, however, remain for several days at low fat content.
In all cases where there has been a worsening of symptoms and persistence of ketonuria, it is necessary to use the hospital is to exclude the presence of a disease more serious, that in order to resolve the crisis through rehydration and acetone administration sugar directly intravenously.
Prevention
Crisis prevention of acetone is to eliminate or at least reduce the diet of the little whole milk, yogurt, ice cream, butter, chocolate, shortbread, pastries, packaged snacks, red meats, cold cuts, sausages, eggs, cheese, fried, mayonnaise, cream and cream, but instead skimmed milk or skim milk, yogurt, bread, biscuits, jam, honey, fruit, tea, chamomile, pasta, rice, meal, vegetable broth, white meats like chicken, veal , rabbit, turkey, grilled or boiled fish, vegetables of all kinds boiled, steamed or raw vegetables, olive oil, fruit, water and fruit juices.
2 May
