Question

Ketones can be present in the urine during pregnancy due to:

a) Increased carbohydrate intake
b) Adequate caloric intake
c) Insufficient caloric intake
d) High protein intake

Answer 1

Ketones in urine during pregnancy can be due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin. The body uses fat as an energy source, producing excessive ketones. Severe deficiency of proteins or carbohydrates in the diet can also lead to ketone presence in the urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ketones are byproducts of fat metabolism. Finding ketones in the urine suggests that the body is using fat as an energy source in preference to glucose. In diabetes mellitus when there is not enough insulin (type I diabetes mellitus) or because of insulin resistance (type II diabetes mellitus), there is plenty of glucose, but without the action of insulin, the cells cannot take it up, so it remains in the bloodstream. Instead, the cells are forced to use fat as their energy source, and fat consumed at such a level produces excessive ketones as byproducts. These excess ketones will appear in the urine. Ketones may also appear if there is a severe deficiency of proteins or carbohydrates in the diet.