DD (9yrs) breath smells of pear drops - worrying

[SarfEast1cated]

Hi there, would appreciate some advice. DD9 is not well, high temperature, tummy cramps and headache. she has been a bit delirious and floppy all day but is a bit better now. This morning her breath smelt of pear drops which happened when she was a newborn and we had trouble feeding. I googled and it is apparently a sign of diabetes. She also said that when she went for a wee it smelt funny. I am imagining that she either has kidney failure or diabetes. Please tell me I am being stupid? all of the advice on google to similar cases said 'take you child to A&E', so I am fretting a bit. Can you reassure me?

Take her to A and E. That sounds serious. Worst case, they say it's a bug and send you home.

Yes they are symptoms of diabetes so don't mess about, just go to A&E. Yes it could be a false alarm but you don't want to mess about in case it is diabetes.

Another to recommend a and e.

I wouldn't go to A&E! Make her a GP appointment in the morning.

Peardrops is a sign of ketoacidosis which is related to uncontrolled diabetes so you are right in that case. I think if you are unsure ring NHS 111 but they will prob send her to A&E. Trust your instincts, headache, tummy ache and high temp need attention anyway. I think you are right to want to get her checked out.

Agreed. I'd be straight to A&E if my child had those symptoms. Pack a small overnight bag for you both just in case, but get going soon. These things can deteriorate very quickly.

A&E

A&e

Pear drop breath is a sign of ketosis, I had it a lot when I was sick and dehydrated when i was pregnant (hyperemisis). I was domestic Mrs kept in, sometimes not, depending on the level of ketones.

Don't fret; your instincts say time to worry. Better to play it safe

Ring 111, or out of hours - but I would advise A&E. don't waste time on here when you could be getting correct medical asvice

She is singing her head off in the bath at the moment so seems a lot better.
(when I said she was delerious, that was when she woke up, she was better for the day) I will ring NHS direct and see what they say.
Thanks!

She was probably dehydrated op

Ketones could be present in urine if she hasn't eaten and drank much for few days due to being unwell, but sounds like she's peeked up now - get plenty of fluids down her.

*perked up not peeked up!!

If she's better now than she has been, I wouldn't go to A&E. IANAMD but I think this smell can be caused in non-diabetics just by not having eaten, and presumably she hasn't been, if she's been very unwell today. The association with diabetes is that diabetics can get it even when eating normally. Provided you're confident she's getting better rather than worse, I'd see how she is in the morning, personally. Of course if you're really worried, you need to act sooner.

My children have this when they are poorly and they are not eating and drinking as they normally would. Just use common sense is she eating and drinking at all , is her temp under control and what is she like in herself ? If she is singing her head off in the bath dosnt sound like an A&E job.

(I typed too slowly!)

Yes pear drops smell is a sign of ketosis - she's burning fat for energy as no other more usual sources available because she's not eaten (happens in diabetics if they're not absorbing carbs so can't use them). I wouldn't go to A&E if she seems well. C

I'm assuming she hadn't been eating or has been vomiting- is that right?

If she's also peeing constantly and is thirsty, combined with the pear drop smell then that's straight to A&E. on its own it could just be dehydration due to illness.

I'm going to ring NHS direct and see what they say. Our A&E is currently on a Black alert (whatever that means).

She has been eating today, no vomming, just had a high temperature and feeling unwell. Not peeing or thirsty either - very odd. I am going to take her to the docs in morning as she is asleep now.

I believe most hospitals are on Black Alert at the moment.

She was fine this morning everyone. Thank very much for your support last night. Much appreciated.

In general, with the symptoms you described, you need to go to A&E immediately. Ketone breath and the other symptoms you describe (except the temperature) are classic symptoms of DKA and children displaying them may be very close to coma, organ failure, brain damage or even death.

I saw that you felt she was OK this morning. I would still take her to a GP and ask for an HBA1C or oral glucose tolerance test (not a random fasting glucose test which may tell you nothing).

In early stage Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can still produce some insulin, generally over night. So I personally would want my DD checked out as I've described above.