The level of ascorbic acid in the urine of a child is an important indicator of the health of the baby. This substance does not form in our body, it comes only from the outside, along with food. It is necessary for normal metabolism and good functioning of the immune system. Most often, deviations in the results of the analysis are associated with the wrong diet. However, in some cases, a decrease or increase in ascorbic acid can be caused by various pathologies.
What it is?
Ascorbic acid is also called vitamin C. It is found in foods such as citrus fruits, rose hips, currant berries, bell pepper, dill. Vitamin C is necessary for the body to maintain the following functions:
- hormone production;
- processing cholesterol;
- strengthening the vascular walls;
- the functioning of the immune system;
- rapid skin regeneration and wound healing;
- oxidation reactions.
With a lack of this substance, vitamin deficiency occurs, which is accompanied by bleeding of the gums, tooth loss and pain in the lower extremities. However, an excess of ascorbic acid is also harmful and can lead to urethral irritation, chronic headache, and skin itching.
It is important to remember that ascorbic acid can enter our body only with food. Therefore, in mild cases of vitamin deficiency and hypervitaminosis, a change in diet is sufficient.
How is the analysis
To determine the level of ascorbic acid in the urine of a child, you need to do an ASA analysis. Urine for research is collected within 24 hours. Then, the laboratory determines the level of vitamin C using special test strips.
Before the study, you need to exclude taking medications and vitamin preparations. Otherwise, the analysis may give false results. You should not change your usual diet, but on the eve of the study, do not abuse citrus fruits.
Currently, test strips for analysis can be purchased at pharmacy chains. The study can be carried out at home. If the results deviate from the norm, then the analysis should be repeated.
Decryption analysis
Suppose a child has ascorbic acid in his urine. What does it mean? Is this a sign of pathology?
Ascorbic acid is present in urine in all people. Vitamin C enters the body with food, and is excreted mainly through the kidneys. Together with urine, an excess of this substance comes out. Therefore, the detection of vitamin C in urine does not mean pathology, this is considered the norm. Ascorbic acid in the urine of a child can be in very small quantities.
The alarm is only necessary in cases where the amount of vitamin in urine is beyond the permissible limits. This indicates malnutrition or the presence of pathology. The norm of ascorbic acid in urine is considered to be about 30 mg. For infants, a reference value of up to 80 mg is allowed.
Indications for the study
Urine analysis of ASA is performed for medical reasons. It is prescribed in cases where the child has the following symptoms:
- hematomas on the skin that are not associated with bruises;
- weakness and constant drowsiness;
- frequent colds;
- skin rashes in the form of spot hemorrhages;
- constant bleeding from the gums;
- poor appetite and sudden weight loss;
- frequent diarrhea.
These symptoms may indicate the presence of vitamin deficiency. Also, the determination of the level of ascorbic acid in the urine of a child is necessary for the following diseases:
- infectious pathologies;
- burns;
- malabsorption of beneficial substances in the intestine (malabsorption);
- hepatic pathologies;
- tumors.
The above pathologies are often accompanied by vitamin deficiency or hypervitaminosis. In addition, it is necessary to control the level of ascorbic acid when artificially feeding the baby with cow's milk and mixtures, as well as during the course of treatment with infusion solutions.
Causes of Vitamin C Increase
Often in children, ascorbic acid in the urine is increased. The reason for this is most often malnutrition. Often, parents try too hard to enrich the baby's diet with vitamins. In this case, the child is often fed with citrus fruits, and sometimes additionally give him ascorbic acid in tablets. All this leads to hypervitaminosis.
It is important to remember that a child needs between 30 and 75 mg of vitamin C per day (depending on age). A systematic excess of ascorbic acid in food can lead to the formation of stones in the organs of excretion and a deficiency of group B vitamins. In adolescent girls, hypervitaminosis causes hormonal disorders.
However, malnutrition is not the only cause of abnormalities in the analysis. Vitamin C in urine may be elevated in kidney disease. In this case, the excretory organs do not cope with the processing of ascorbic acid, and this substance leaves the body in an increased amount.
The reason for the increase in this compound in the urine can be the use of sleeping pills, non-steroidal painkillers, as well as the abuse of multivitamin complexes. Parents often give their children an unlimited amount of sweet ascorbic acid with glucose. But you need to remember that vitamins are drugs. And their overdose can adversely affect the children's body.
Why rates are low
Ascorbic acid in the urine of a child and during pregnancy in women can be slightly reduced. This is a variant of the norm. In childhood, this vitamin is consumed very quickly, since it is necessary for a growing body. During gestation, the developing embryo takes most of the ascorbic acid.
Most often, a decrease in ascorbic acid is associated with a deficiency of this substance in food. Deviations of vitamin C in urine are also possible with excessive fluid intake. The results of the analysis can also be affected by the use of diuretics. Such causes of vitamin deficiency are easily eliminated.
However, there are pathological reasons for the decrease in vitamin C in urine:
- Burns. To heal the skin requires an increased amount of ascorbic acid.
- Stress. With strong emotional experiences, the supply of vitamins is spent heavily.
- Malabsorption. In this case, the absorption of vitamins in the intestine is impaired. Even with a sufficient intake of ascorbic acid with food, a deficiency of nutrients is formed in the body.
- Tumors With oncological diseases, an increased consumption of ascorbic acid occurs in the body.
- Liver disease. In this case, vitamin deficiency is associated with metabolic disorders.
Such pathologies require serious treatment. Indicators of ascorbic acid in the urine of a child normalize only after a course of therapy for the underlying disease.
Symptoms of deviations
Excessive amounts of ascorbic acid in urine can sometimes be seen with the naked eye. Urine acquires a bright yellow color and a strong odor. In addition, the child has frequent urinary tract irritation. Children become irritable and nervous. Rashes appear on the skin.
With hypervitaminosis C, a child often has nausea and diarrhea. Periodically, the baby is bothered by headaches. In advanced cases, kidney stones (oxalates) form.
If the level of ascorbic acid is reduced, then this is most often manifested by bleeding gums, the formation of hematomas and subcutaneous hemorrhages. The child often begins to get a cold and the flu. Children become lethargic and drowsy, they have learning difficulties, growth is slowed and weight is reduced.
Treatment
With abnormalities, an analysis of ascorbic acid in the urine is repeated. Additionally, a study of venous blood for the content of vitamin C is prescribed.
If the level of ascorbic acid is low, it is recommended to use foods rich in vitamin C. In addition, the doctor may prescribe multivitamin preparations.
With an increased content of ascorbic acid in the analysis, it is recommended to limit the use of citrus fruits, berries, as well as greens. If hypervitaminosis is associated with taking medications, then a dose adjustment of drugs or their complete withdrawal is necessary.
If deviations in the analysis of ASA are caused by internal diseases, then it is necessary to undergo a course of therapy. Usually, after eliminating the cause of violations, the level of ascorbic acid returns to normal.