My 4 year old has been drinking a lot of water and his mouth smells like acid like a battery acid what could this be?

[alpop]

The past two days I've really noticed how much water (with a tiny bit dilution juice) he is drinking. He's asking me a lot for more. He will down it then ask for another one

His mouth smells like an acidic smell like battery acid. I have no better way of explaining it. It's smelt like that since yesterday. His older sisters have noticed it too and said he smells weird

He's well otherwise. He was running a lot today and has been at his nursery.

He's maybe eating slightly more. But he's completely well other wise

Diabetes runs in my family. My brother is type 1 and was really unwell at 5 years old. My mum didn't notice anything until he was passing out then admitted to hospital.

Does anyone have any ideas??

Don't want for the GP, treasure him to a&e today, it can go downhill very fast at this this age, better safe than sorry.

Get checked for keto acidosis. Can be tp1 linked. If you have thise keto sticks at home do a dip test and also check his blood sugars if you've got the test. If he's been unwell could be he's not eaten enough etc that can trigger it but as you've type 1 in the family get checked and they'll likely do a referral to be on safe side for him

Just as an aside monitor him very closely until u see the GP. My lo was so unwell with KA once I couldn't wake her up in the morning and I had no idea KA was a thing. Luckily the ambulance was quick and she's recovered with no signs of TP1 4 yrs on, but the fright made me so cautious !

I hope he's OK

Agreed - there are some horrible comments on here, not offering any advice, just piling on with the comments of how stupid the OP must be.

Hopefully it turns out not to be diabetes but you’re doing the right thing getting him checked.

Yep sounds like symptoms of diabetes plus it runs in the family. Go to GP asap

You already know he needs blood sugars checking URGENTLY.

I think OP has got the message.

Well done for getting an appointment quickly. If it is diabetes then there is a lot of info to take in, but technology is brilliant now and improving all the time. All the best.

Take him to A&E and get him checked out. Increased thirst and a smell breath (normally pear drops smell) can be a sign of DKA which T1 diabetics can get.

Exactly, I imagine OP was in a bit of disbelief/denial as she will realise just how serious T1 can be. It must be very scary for her today.

She's getting him checked out, she doesn't need to be slated.

Do it straight away. My own niece was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 4. I remember she was constantly asking for drinks and saying her legs ached.

Yes, could well be diabetes although often breath could be described as more sweet smelling as ketones are a byproduct of possible developing ketoacidosis. Meantime while waiting for your appointment, do not give him anything high inn carbohydrates as you don't want to be tipping him into diabetic ketoacidosis - a life-threatening condition.

I really hope your son is ok

As it's only been two days. Hopefully it's a viral sore throat or illness. My son has had tonsillitis and his breath has smelt very strange throughout. He's also drinking loads.

Its great you've been able to get him seen so quickly

Oh for goodn sake it can be several things.our youngest son recently started drinking a lot so took him to drs and was a water infection

You have probably had the appointment now, but in the meantime please avoid the juice in the water as this kind of sugar will go straight in and raise his blood sugar. Water is best or sugar-free squash.

It could. But T1 diabetes runs in the family so it's much much much more likely than for the average person to be diabetes. And uncontrolled diabetes can kill. So it's absolutely correct to treat this as the emergency it could potentially be.

I'm really glad you have got him an appointment. My first thought was diabetes as soon as I read his symptoms.

What's wrong with erring on the side of caution?

It's the drinking and the weird smell that's pointing to Diabetes
DKAis a life threatening condition, if its not diabetes that's great but if it is it needs treating ASAP.

But that's not OP's situation.

She has T1 diabetes in her family and her son is showing all the symptoms of ketoacidosis, which can be fatal if left untreated. He's not just drinking a lot - there are other symptoms too.

How are you being so dismissive? You literally said that you also took your son to the GP

Which is what OP is doing.

Best of luck OP.

Let us know how he got on.

As everyone else is saying this is a big sign for diabetes. Please get it checked out asap, I know two people who's children have been diagnosed after it got to the point the children ended up in A&E. It's a very quick, easy test.

Straight to the GP and tell them everything you've said here.