ammonia exposure

ammonia exposure,

an adverse reaction to ammonia, which is formed as a product of amino acid and nucleic acid catabolism. Ammonia is converted to urea in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. In liver diseases such as cirrhosis, ammonia may accumulate in the blood, resulting in neurologic damage. Preventive measures include administering antibiotics that restrict the growth of ammonia-producing bacteria and limiting the amount of protein in the diet.