Having no longer available glucose (ie sugar) to obtain the energy necessary for its functioning, the body is forced to burn fat, as an alternative fuel. During this reaction, some waste substances are produced in the liver: ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid).
Generally, acetone in children is a transient disorder, which resolves itself in a short time, without causing too much discomfort. Symptoms include: vomiting, stomach pains, headache, exhaustion, pallor and breath that takes on a characteristic odor of ripe fruit.
Acetone therapy in children is primarily dietary; this involves eliminating excess fat and resorting to simple carbohydrates, to be administered frequently, in small quantities. In this regard, sugary drinks are especially recommended, such as freshly squeezed fruit juices, so that the body can resume using glucose as fuel.
