Which urine odor is specifically associated with metabolic disorders?

The urine odor that is specifically associated with metabolic disorders is mousy or musty. This particular scent is particularly linked to the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU), which is a hereditary condition in which the body cannot properly metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. As a result, phenylalanine and its byproducts build up in the body and can be excreted in the urine, producing a distinctive mousy odor.

In contrast, other odors such as ammonia-like may be more generally associated with dehydration or urinary tract infections, fruity odors are commonly indicative of diabetes or uncontrolled ketosis, and a normal odor signifies healthy urine that doesn’t indicate any underlying metabolic issue. Understanding these associations is crucial for identifying potential metabolic disorders based on urine characteristics.