One of the most obvious signs of diabetes in children is the development of sweet-smelling, fruity breath. This is because of the build-up of toxic acids in the bloodstream and the urine. These toxic acids, known as ketones, cause a fruity smell. If left untreated, diabetes can shut down the system, organ by organ.
Breath that tastes or smells like fruit, can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication of Type 1 diabetes. DKA can also affect those with Type 2 diabetes, but it's less common. DKA occurs when the body isn't producing enough insulin due to stress, injury, illness or other factors.
While sweet-smelling breath can be a sign of diabetes in children, it's not always the case. Other causes of sweet-smelling breath include ketosis, acidosis, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications.
∙ Fruity smelling breath: Having breath that smells fruity, even when it's been a while since your child ate, often means there's excess sugar in their blood. ∙ Increased hunger or unexplained weight loss: Extreme hunger can mean your child's muscles and organs aren't getting enough energy.
The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children are: Toilet — Going to the toilet a lot to pass urine, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies. Getting up in the night to go to the toilet. Thirsty — Being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst.
It can take months or years before symptoms of type 1 diabetes are noticed. Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months. Once symptoms appear, they can be severe. Some type 1 diabetes symptoms are similar to symptoms of other health conditions.
Fruity breath is caused by your metabolism. As your body breaks down food and fat in different ways, it releases chemicals that are then expelled when you breathe out. In some cases, these chemicals can cause a fruity or acetone smell.
Babies with MSUD are unable to break down amino acids called leucine, isoleucine and valine. Very high levels of these amino acids are harmful. One of the characteristic symptoms of MSUD is sweet-smelling urine, which gives the condition its name.
If ketone levels are very high or if the person is dehydrated, ketones may begin to build up in the blood. High blood levels of ketones may cause fruity-smelling breath, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and fast, deep breathing.
One of the most obvious signs of diabetes in children is the development of sweet-smelling, fruity breath. This is because of the build-up of toxic acids in the bloodstream and the urine. These toxic acids, known as ketones, cause a fruity smell. If left untreated, diabetes can shut down the system, organ by organ.
Hyperglycemia can become an emergency if you begin to develop symptoms of DKA: shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, nausea and vomiting, confusion, or you lose consciousness. Likewise, hypoglycemia requires emergency care if you begin to experience confusion, a loss of consciousness, or seizures.
When your cells are deprived of energy from glucose, they begin to burn fat instead. This fat burning process creates a byproduct called ketones, which is a type of acid produced by the liver. Ketones tend to produce an odor that's similar to acetone. This type of bad breath isn't unique to people with diabetes.
How do I know if my child has maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)? If your baby or child has urine or sweat that smells sweet, you should call 911 or go directly to the emergency room. Other signs include being weak or sluggish/tired or having a sudden decrease in appetite.
Maple syrup urine disease is a rare inherited disorder caused by the body's inability to properly process amino acids, leading to a characteristic odor of maple syrup in the baby's urine.
Conclusions. While newborn screening programs allow for early detection of classic MSUD, cases of the intermittent form might go undetected, and present later in childhood following metabolic derailment, with an array of non-specific symptoms.
Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a rare disease of metabolism. Liver disease and certain metabolic disorders may cause musty-smelling urine.
Hyperglycemia and Diabetes
Fruity-smelling urine is sometimes the first sign of diabetes. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is common in people with undiagnosed diabetes or poorly controlled diabetes. High levels of sugar (glucose) in the urine can make it smell sweet or like fruity cereal.
When fat is used as energy, by-products called ketones are produced. These ketones can build up over time and can make the blood very acidic. The ketones can be detected by blood or urine testing and you may also notice a smell on your child's breath (like acetone or pear drops).
Children with monogenic diabetes are often misdiagnosed with type 1 diabetes and treated with injections of insulin. While some forms of monogenic diabetes require insulin to control blood sugars, patients with other forms of monogenic diabetes do better with different treatments, including oral medications.
Feeling very thirsty. Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating. Extreme fatigue. Blurry vision.
The doctor will do a simple urine test to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine and a finger stick to measure preliminary blood glucose level. A more involved test, called an oral glucose tolerance test, can tell for certain if it's type 1 diabetes. Your child will need to follow a special diet before this procedure.