Medical expert of the article
New publications
Acetone in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

The detection of acetone in urine is a sign of disturbances in the functioning of any organs and systems. This laboratory finding implies a further set of diagnostic measures to identify the cause of the appearance of acetone in urine.
Usually, an analysis to determine acetone is prescribed when clinical symptoms of the disease begin to bother. In this case, a full examination and diagnosis are performed in parallel with other studies. Acetone during pregnancy can be detected when the woman's health deteriorates.
However, it happens when a pregnant woman undergoes routine tests and acetone is detected. This indicates the initial stage of the disease, when there are no clinical symptoms yet, but laboratory changes in the urine are determined.
When acetone appears in the urine, the woman begins to be bothered by vomiting, which does not bring relief. As a result, the pregnant woman loses strength, dizziness appears, and there is no appetite. This condition is an indication for urgent hospitalization.
[ 1 ]
Causes of increased acetone during pregnancy
Causes of increased acetone during pregnancy include pathological conditions and improper nutrition of the woman. Acetone very often appears in urine in large quantities with violations of the diet.
Firstly, an increase in acetone levels is possible with insufficient food intake. This can be a purposeful and conscious fasting of a pregnant woman (the so-called diet), when a woman does not want to gain extra pounds.
In addition, in the presence of toxicosis, not all pregnant women eat properly due to the presence of constant vomiting. As a result, the body does not receive nutrients.
Secondly, a pregnant woman may violate nutritional recommendations and consume excessive amounts of fats and proteins, which leads to their incomplete breakdown and an increase in acetone levels. On the other hand, a large amount of carbohydrates consumed also contributes to the appearance of acetone.
The reasons for increased acetone during pregnancy are the loss of fluid and electrolytes as a result of uncontrollable vomiting against the background of early toxicosis. Also, do not forget about gestational diabetes, for the detection of which it is necessary to test the blood for sugar.
The smell of acetone during pregnancy
Some characteristics of urine, such as color and smell, can tell a lot about the functioning of the body. During pregnancy, a woman needs to monitor these indicators and, if any changes are detected, consult a specialist.
In general, urine under normal conditions does not have an unpleasant odor, but with intensive decomposition of protein, changes in its characteristics are possible.
The smell of acetone during pregnancy is quite pungent, which resembles the smell of unripe apples. A similar condition is observed with severe 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, loss of appetite and weakness. As a result of so-called starvation, the body does not receive nutrients and has to produce energy by breaking down its own proteins.
This process does not occur completely, and the decay products are excreted in the urine, which is why the smell of acetone appears during pregnancy.
In the early stages, the detection of high levels of acetone implies the development of severe toxicosis, but in later stages, it indicates a disruption of the endocrine system with the appearance of diabetes.
Acetone in urine during pregnancy
When a woman is registered, she should regularly take tests and undergo some instrumental examinations, such as ultrasound, throughout the pregnancy. In this way, the doctor monitors the functioning of the body and the course of pregnancy as a whole.
Urine analysis makes it possible to pay attention to dysfunction of some organs and eliminate disorders in time. The fact is that during pregnancy, a woman's body becomes weaker in terms of immune protection, as a result of which it is very sensitive to various factors.
Acetone in urine during pregnancy is considered a serious indicator of changes in the functioning of organs and systems. If acetone is detected, the doctor may suspect an oncological disease, endocrine pathology with the development of diabetes, liver dysfunction, changes in the circulatory system (severe anemia - a decrease in the level of red blood cells in the blood).
Depending on the level of acetone, a choice of methods for its reduction is made. This may be hospitalization or outpatient treatment. Regardless of the method of combating increased acetone, the main task is to eliminate it and normalize the body's functioning.
Acetone in urine during pregnancy can rise more than once during pregnancy. In this regard, it should be remembered that if it is detected once, it is necessary to periodically test for acetone in the future. It can be done at home using a special test purchased at a pharmacy.
The reason for an unscheduled urine test is considered to be the appearance of dizziness and vomiting, which indicate a disruption in the functioning of the organs and systems of the pregnant woman.
[ 8 ]
Urine test for acetone during pregnancy
Urine analysis during pregnancy monitors the performance of a woman's organs and systems. Urine analysis for acetone during pregnancy, if positive, gives an idea of the disorders in the woman's body. In most cases, hospitalization is recommended for further examination and treatment.
There are several reasons for increased acetone levels, but the most likely during pregnancy is a severe form of toxicosis with uncontrollable vomiting, weakness and loss 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.
A urine test for acetone during pregnancy may be positive if the woman's diet is improper. Thus, excessive consumption of fatty foods, which mainly include 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 fasting, when a pregnant woman tries not to gain extra pounds and eats very little. In addition, with toxicosis, appetite is practically absent, which aggravates the situation and increases the level of acetone in the urine.
Pregnant women who have high blood sugar levels, which can lead to the development of diabetes, are also at risk.
Elevated acetone during pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations to prevent the development of serious pathologies and to identify disorders at the initial stage. For this purpose, blood and urine tests are taken and an ultrasound examination is performed.
Increased acetone during pregnancy is a sign of the development of some dysfunctions in the body. If the level of acetone rises in the early stages of pregnancy, then you should think about severe toxicosis.
However, in this case, there is a small chance that in addition to the appearance of acetone, there will be no other clinical manifestations, such as vomiting. Sometimes it is this symptom that forces a pregnant woman to take unscheduled tests.
Increased acetone during pregnancy at later stages may indicate gestosis, which also poses a threat not only to the woman but also to the fetus. Acetone in urine appears due to incomplete breakdown of proteins and fats.
Depending on the level of acetone, the tactics of pregnancy management are selected. With a small amount of acetone, outpatient treatment is allowed, but with a high level and pronounced clinical symptoms, hospitalization and constant medical supervision are necessary.
Who to contact?
Treatment of acetone during pregnancy
If high levels of acetone are detected in the urine, the pregnant woman must be hospitalized immediately. This is necessary to restore the metabolic balance and replenish lost electrolytes in the presence of vomiting.
Treatment of acetone during pregnancy depends on the reason for its appearance. So, if acetone has increased due to toxicosis, then the water balance should be gradually replenished. The drinking regime is prescribed 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, you will have to fast in the first days, but a long absence of incoming food products also threatens the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Infusion therapy may be prescribed.
Treatment of acetone during pregnancy, caused by an improper diet, consists of following a special diet with limited fatty foods and large amounts of protein foods.
The sooner the provoking factor is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. If the acetone level is not very high and there are no clinical manifestations, then the treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis. If acetone was detected once during pregnancy, then it should be periodically monitored before delivery.