What is "ketonuria"

n. (context medicine English) A medical condition in which ketone bodies are present in the urine.

n. excessive amounts of ketone bodies in the urine as in diabetes mellitus or starvation [syn: ketoaciduria, acetonuria]

Ketonuria is a medical condition in which ketone bodies are present in the urine.

It is seen in conditions in which the body produces excess ketones as an indication that it is using an alternative source of energy. It is seen during starvation or more commonly in type I diabetes mellitus. Production of ketone bodies is a normal response to a shortage of glucose, meant to provide an alternate source of fuel from fatty acids.