acid reflux – A condition in which contents from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus, often causing a painful sensation behind the breast bone called "heartburn."
amino acids – Compounds containing nitrogen that form the building blocks of proteins. A protein is composed of a chain of hundreds or thousands of amino acids. Some amino acids are considered nutritionally essential and must be supplied by the diet.
anemia – Having too few red blood cells.
anorexia – Loss of appetite or desire for food, resulting in significant weight loss if chronic.
chronic diarrhea – Frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements on an ongoing basis.
dehydration – Excessive loss of body fluid through frequent urinating, sweating, chronic diarrhea, or vomiting.
dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing.
elemental formula – A nutritional supplement in which proteins are in a “predigested” or amino acid-based form.
ELISA testing – The Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay is an advanced laboratory test used to detect small amounts of specific proteins.
enteral (tube) feeding – Nutrients (either a special liquid formula or purèed food) that are delivered to a patient through a tube directly into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, usually through the nose or directly into the stomach or small intestine.
eosinophilic colitis – Condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) becomes filled with eosinophils, often causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
eosinophilic esophagitis – Condition in which the wall of the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food is sent from the mouth to the stomach) is infiltrated by eosinophils. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, coughing, and failure to thrive.
eosinophilic gastroenteritis – Condition in which the lining of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine is infiltrated by eosinophils, resulting in diarrhea and possibly vomiting, cramps, and lack of appetite.
eosinophilic GI disorders (EGID) – Group of conditions in which part or all of the lining of the gastrointestinal system (esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines) becomes filled with large numbers of eosinophils. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to thrive.
eosinophils – Specialized white blood cells produced in increased numbers in many allergic conditions.
galactosemia – A buildup of the sugar galactose in the blood. This occurs when a body lacks the enzymes needed to break down galactose into usable glucose. Too much galactose can damage the liver, eyes, brain, and kidneys.
gastroparesis – Nerve or muscle damage in the stomach that causes slow or incomplete digestion. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, and bloating.
gluten – A protein in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats.
hypoallergenic – A product that is less likely to cause an allergic response. Hypoallergenic Abbott Nutrition products such as EleCare® and Similac® Alimentum® must be tolerated with 95% statistical confidence by 90% of infants and children with confirmed allergy to the base protein source in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
intestinal adaptation – Process in which the small intestine increases in size so it has more surface area through which to absorb nutrients. This often occurs after bowel resection surgery.
malabsorption – Condition that occurs when the bowel cannot absorb enough protein, fat, or nutrients from a normal formula or diet. This can be due to a food protein allergy to cow’s milk, or soy, or other causes. Symptoms often include diarrhea and weight loss.
malnutrition – Poor nourishment of the body often due to inadequate digestion and/or absorption of nutrients or bad eating habits.
medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) – Triglycerides composed of three medium-chain fatty acids rather than long-chain fatty acids. In contrast to long-chain fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream without the presence of bile salts.
oral feeding – Receiving nutrition through the mouth.
PAGE testing – PolyAcrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) testing is used to detect small amounts of intact protein, regardless of its source. PAGE testing is one of the tests conducted on EleCare® finished product before release.
parenteral feeding – Taking nutrition into the body in a way other than through the digestive system, for instance, through intravenous feeding (into a vein).
protein – A large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins are needed by the body to grow and function properly.
severe food allergy – A reaction of the body’s immune system to food proteins. Often the reaction becomes stronger each time the food is eaten and can become life-threatening in rare cases. The most common food protein allergies are to cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
short bowel syndrome – Malabsorptive conditions resulting from massive resection of the small intestine. Malnutrition and diarrhea are common.
small intestine – The narrow, winding, upper part of the intestine where most food is digested and most nutrients are absorbed.