Page 232 - MHF-FeedingMinds-final.indd

223
Glossary
Allergen – A substance that causes an immune
response.
Allergy – A hypersensitivity reaction initiated by
specific immunological mechanisms.
Amino acids – A group of compounds that proteins
are made of. Essential amino acids are those that
we cannot make ourselves and therefore we must
eat them in food. Non-essential amino acids are
those that we can make for ourselves if our diets
are adequate.
Anaphylaxis – Severe difficulty breathing and heart
malfunction due to a fall in blood pressure, usually as
a result of a serious allergic reaction. It can result in Estimated date of delivery (EDD) – For a premature
death but if adrenaline is administered the body is
quickly restored to normal.
Apnoea – A transient absence of spontaneous
respiration. It may occur during sleep in very
obese children.
Asperger’s syndrome – One of several autism spectrum
disorders (ASD) characterized by difficulties in
social interaction and by restricted and stereotyped
interests and activities.
Atopy – A characteristic making one susceptible to
develop immediate allergic reactions to
substances such as pollen, food, dander and
insect venoms and manifested by hay fever,
asthma, food allergies, eczema or similar allergic
conditions.
Autism – Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are a
spectrum of psychological conditions
characterized by widespread abnormalities of
social interactions and communication, as well
as severely restricted interests and highly
repetitive behaviour.
Autoimmune disease – A disease in which the body
produces antibodies that attack its own tissues.
Body mass index (BMI) – An index calculated by
dividing body weight in kilograms by the height
in metres squared.
Coeliac disease – An autoimmune disease in which
the protein gluten causes the production of
destructive antibodies which damage the tissue
of the small intestine causing malabsorption of
food.
Corrected age – The age of a child born preterm
minus the weeks the baby was born early.
Cushing’s syndrome – Disorder caused by excessive
levels of the hormone cortisol which causes rapid
weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face.
Dehydration – Condition that results from excessive
loss of body water. This may occur due to a high
temperature and excessive sweating or it may be
due to normal water losses through skin,
breathing, passing water and stools coupled with
an inadequate intake of water.
Dyslipidaemia – An excess of lipids in the blood,
usually the lipids cholesterol and triglycerides.
baby this is the date they were expected to be born
if they had remained in the womb for a normal-
length pregnancy of 40 weeks gestation.
Encopresis – Involuntary faecal soiling of underwear
in children who are already toilet trained.
Endocrine disorders – Abnormalities of hormone
secretion or action.
Food allergy – An abnormal or exaggerated
immunological response to specific food
proteins.
Gag on food – Food is not successfully swallowed and
comes back into the mouth.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux – The contents of the
stomach flow backwards: back up out of the
stomach into the oesophagus.
Glucose – A form of sugar. Sugar in the blood is
always in the form of glucose.
Gluten – A protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
Oats contain a very similar protein.
Growth hormone – A hormone secreted by the
pituitary gland which stimulates growth and cell
reproduction.
Halal – Means ‘lawful’ and relates to meat which is
acceptable to Muslims. Animals must be
ritually slaughtered to provide meat that is
Halal.