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Acetone in Pregnancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Detection of acetone in the urine is a sign of irregularities in the functioning of any organs and systems. This laboratory finding implies a further complex of diagnostic measures to identify the cause of the appearance of acetone in the urine.
Usually, an acetone determination test is assigned when the clinical symptoms of the disease begin to worry. In this case, in parallel with other studies, a complete examination and diagnosis are performed. Acetone during pregnancy can show up when the woman's state of health worsens.
However, it happens when a pregnant woman is scheduled to give tests and acetone is detected. This indicates an initial stage of the disease, when there is no clinical symptomatology yet, but laboratory changes in the urine are determined.
When acetone appears in the urine, a woman starts to worry about vomiting, which does not bring relief. As a result, the pregnant woman loses her strength, dizziness and lack of appetite. This condition is an indication for urgent hospitalization.
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Causes of increased acetone in pregnancy
The causes of increased acetone in pregnancy include pathological conditions and improper nutrition of women. Acetone very often appears in the urine in large quantities when eating disorders.
First, an increase in the level of acetone is possible if there is insufficient intake of food in the body. This can be a purposeful and conscious starvation of a pregnant (so-called diet), when a woman does not want to gain extra pounds.
In addition, in the presence of toxicosis, not all pregnant women are fully fed due to the presence of constant vomiting. As a result, the body does not receive nutrients.
Secondly, a pregnant woman may violate dietary guidelines and consume excessive amounts of fats and proteins, which leads to incomplete cleavage and an increase in the level of acetone. On the other hand, a large volume of used carbohydrates also contributes to the appearance of acetone.
The causes of increased acetone in pregnancy are loss of fluid and electrolytes as a result of indomitable vomiting against early toxicosis. Also, do not forget about gestational diabetes, for the detection of which it is necessary to examine the blood for sugar.
The smell of acetone in pregnancy
Some characteristics of urine, such as color and smell, can tell a lot about the functioning of the body. During pregnancy, a woman should monitor these indicators and, if any changes are found, contact a specialist.
In general, urine under normal conditions does not have an unpleasant odor, but with intensive protein decomposition, changes in its characteristics are possible.
The smell of acetone in pregnancy is quite acrid, which resembles the smell of immature apples. A similar condition is observed with a severe degree of toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy. The smell appears as a result of the presence of acetone in the urine, which comes from the blood.
Clinically, the appearance of acetone in the blood is manifested by severe vomiting, lack of appetite and weakness. As a result of the so-called starvation, the body does not receive nutrients and it has to produce energy by splitting its own proteins.
This process is not complete, and the decay products are excreted in the urine, resulting in an odor of acetone during pregnancy.
In the early stages, the detection of high levels of acetone implies the development of severe toxicosis, but at later times it indicates a disruption in the endocrine system with the onset of diabetes mellitus.
Acetone in the urine during pregnancy
When a woman is registered, throughout pregnancy she should regularly take tests and perform some instrumental studies, for example, ultrasound. Thus, the doctor controls the work of the body and the course of pregnancy in general.
With the help of urine analysis, it becomes possible to pay attention to the dysfunction of certain organs and to correct violations in time. The fact is that during pregnancy the body of a woman becomes weaker from the side of immune defense, due to which it is very sensitive to various factors.
Acetone in the urine during pregnancy is considered a serious indicator of changes in the work of organs and systems. If acetone is detected, the doctor may suspect cancer, endocrine system pathology with the development of diabetes, liver dysfunction, changes in the circulatory system (severe anemia - a decrease in the level of erythrocytes in the blood).
Depending on the level of acetone, there is a choice of methods for reducing it. This can be hospitalization or treatment in an outpatient setting. Despite the way to combat elevated acetone, the main task is to eliminate it and normalize the work of the body.
Acetone in the urine during pregnancy can rise more than once during pregnancy. In this regard, it should be remembered that once it is identified, in the future it is necessary to periodically test for acetone. It can be carried out at home using a special test purchased at a pharmacy.
The reason for an unscheduled urine test is the appearance of dizziness and vomiting, which indicate a violation of the work of organs and systems of the pregnant woman.
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Urinalysis for acetone in pregnancy
Through the analysis of urine during pregnancy, the working capacity of women's organs and systems is monitored. Analysis of urine for acetone in pregnancy with its positive value gives an idea of the violations in the body of a woman. In most cases, hospitalization is recommended for further research and treatment.
There are several reasons for increasing the level of acetone, but the most likely in pregnancy is a severe form of toxicosis with indomitable vomiting, weakness and lack of appetite. As a result of vomiting, the body loses a large amount of fluid and electrolytes, which leads to the appearance of acetone in the urine.
The analysis of urine on acetone during pregnancy can be positive with an incorrect diet of a woman. So, excessive consumption of fatty foods, which are mainly composed of proteins and carbohydrates, as well as sweet products contribute to the appearance of acetone in the urine.
On the other hand, insufficient food intake during starvation, when a pregnant woman tries not to gain extra pounds, and eats very little. In addition, with toxemia, the appetite is practically absent, which aggravates the situation and raises the level of acetone in the urine.
The risk group should also include pregnant women who have elevated levels of sugar, which can lead to the development of diabetes.
Increased acetone in pregnancy
In the course of pregnancy, it is necessary to undergo a regular examination to prevent the development of serious pathology and identify violations at the initial stage. For this purpose, a blood and urine test is performed and an ultrasound is performed.
Increased acetone in pregnancy is a sign of the development of any dysfunction in the body. If the level of acetone rises in the early stages of pregnancy, then one should think about severe toxicosis.
However, in this case there is a small probability that, in addition to the appearance of acetone, there will be no other clinical manifestations, for example, vomiting. Sometimes it is this symptom that causes the pregnant patient to make unscheduled tests.
Increased acetone in pregnancy at a later date may indicate gestosis, which also poses a threat not only to the woman, but also to the fetus. Acetone in the urine appears due to incomplete splitting of proteins and fats.
Depending on the level of acetone is chosen tactics of management of the pregnant woman. With a small amount of acetone, out-patient treatment is allowed, but with a high level and severe clinical symptoms, hospitalization and constant medical supervision are necessary.
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Treatment of acetone in pregnancy
If a high level of acetone is found in the urine, pregnant should be urgently hospitalized. This is necessary to restore the balance of metabolism and replenishment of lost electrolytes in the presence of vomiting.
The treatment of acetone in pregnancy depends on the cause of its appearance. So, if acetone has increased because of toxicosis, then it is necessary to gradually replenish the water balance. Drinking regime is assigned individually and involves drinking water (Borjomi) in small spoons throughout the day.
A large volume of water can become a provoking factor for vomiting, as well as food. In this regard, in the early days will have to starve, but the long absence of incoming food products also threatens the condition of the pregnant and fetus.
Infusion therapy may be prescribed.
Treatment of acetone in pregnancy, which was caused by an improper nutritional diet, consists of adherence to a special diet with restriction of fatty foods and a large amount of protein foods.
The faster the provoking factor is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. If the level of acetone is not very high and there are no clinical manifestations, then the treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis. If acetone was once detected during pregnancy, it should be monitored periodically before delivery.