[kimmicoobug]

My sister in law recently went in for a prenatal appt. She has told me that she was referred to a dietitian because she was peeing out ketones. She is not diabetic, rather she just isn't eating. I was wondering if anyone knew what effect this would have on the baby, if any? Or if you guys could refer me to a website concerning my question.

[sunnygirl272]

she's spilling ketones 'cuz her body is using muscle for energy because she is not taking in enough calories...why is she not eating if she is preggers? does she not want the baby? fetuses need food to grow and develop..and to grow and develop properly....

{diabetics spill ketones at times 'cuz they have lots of sugar in their blood...but not the insulin to allow it into the cells to be used....}

[sunnygirl272]

Women with eating disorders have higher rates of miscarriage than do healthy, normal women. Also, your baby might be born prematurely, meaning that it would not weigh as much, or be as well developed, as babies who are born full term. Low birth weight babies are at risk of many medical problems, some of them life threatening. Babies born to women with active eating disorders seem to be at higher risk of birth defects than those born to asymptomatic mothers.

An article in the January 2002 New England Journal of Medicine reports that premature babies have neurological and developmental problems well into early adulthood, and possibly longer. Some of the problems include lower IQs, learning disabilities, and cerebral palsy.

[Brownms46]

She could be having hyperemesis,...there by not able to eat much..or keep anything down. As one who had a mod form of this...it's very difficult to eat...when you think it's going to come up. I had to learn not to drink anything with my meals...ate mostly dry foods. Nothing greasy, and had to stay away from even smelling anything greasy...even butter! And any strong smells at all would send me heaving! For several weeks all I could keep down was saltines, and thick mostly dry mash potatoes.

As for the effect on the fetus...there are beliefs d/t one study, that children exposed to high ketone levels have reduced IQs. This to my knowledge hasn't be proven. Most physicans say there "could" be a risk to the fetus.

I sincerely hope your sister in law is able to have an uneventful pregnancy, and deliver a healthly child..

[kimmicoobug]

Well, the story with my sister in law is that she used to be "fat" (her words). After the birth of her second child, she probably put on a good 40 lbs. She managed to lose most of it by the time she became pregnant with her third. Then she got pregnant and she was so afraid of putting on weight. She does have a history of premature labor (36 weeks). She is currently in her 24th week and is not worried about having the baby early because chances are the baby will live. She won't even consider the long term effects of this statement. She has stated that she sometimes won't eat until dinnertime and may have to force herself. I know she doesn't realize what she is doing to her body and to her daughter's. However, she is one of those stubborn types who won't listen and since I am the only person in her life that knows anything about health, I don't want to offend her. Her doctor (who was my OB) isn't very informative and the same could be said for his nurse. With this pair, you have to ask and seek answers. She is also one of those lucky types who do not experience morning sickness. Well, I guess that is all. Guess I kinda needed to vent since I am worried that she could have this child earlier than her last.

[kids]

Originally posted by kimmicoobug
......She is currently in her 24th week and is not worried about having the baby early because chances are the baby will live. She won't even consider the long term effects of this statement.....

AACCKKK!

I'd love to introduce her to the kids on my case load!

{{{kimmi}}} I know it has to be really frustrating for you to sit back and not be able to do anything.

[imenid37]

maybe her dr. needs to make a psych refferal too. she's dehydrated and starving herself it sounds like. talk to her husband/boyfriend. this is more than about her pride, stubborness etc. it takes a helluva a lot more effort to raise a disabled child than it does to lose 40 lbs! good luck. i am sorry to hear about this, but ithink she must be sick to behave in this way and needs mental health intervention.