Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Chronological age the age of an infant stated as the amount of time since
birth; also called postnatal age
Congenital heart
disease (CHD)
Glossary
cardiovascular defects that are present at birth; often leads
to congestive heart failure; children with CHD are at risk
for problems with growth because of increased energy
needs and decreased intake and absorption
Constipation typically characterized as infrequent bowel movements or
incomplete emptying of the bowel; symptoms can include
a hard stool, straining at stool, a feeling of fullness or
pressure, and nausea
Continuous drip
feeding
a term used to describe a method of tube feeding where
formula is delivered at a constant rate, throughout the day
(typically for 20-24 hours per day) or overnight (typically
8-10 hours at night)
Contracture static muscle shortening resulting from tonic spasm or
fibrosis; frequently seen in individuals with cerebral palsy
Corrected age age from birth, less the number of weeks premature;
e.g., an infant born at 32 weeks gestation is born 8 weeks
before term; at 12 weeks from birth, this infant’s corrected
age is 4 weeks.
Crown rump length between a child’s head and buttocks, sometimes
used as an estimator of length
Cystic fibrosis (CF) an inherited disorder of the exocrine glands, primarily
the pancreas, pulmonary system, and sweat glands,
characterized by abnormally thick luminal secretions
Diarrhea the sudden increase in frequency and looseness of stools
Diuretic a medication that promotes the excretion of urine,
primarily through effects on the renal system
Down syndrome trisomy 21; a genetic disorder in which an individual has
an extra 21st chromosome; typically characterized by low
muscle tone, cardiac problems, GI malformations, and a
characteristic facial appearance
DRI dietary reference intake; reference intakes established
by the Institutes of Medicine; include estimated average
requirements, recommended dietary allowances, adequate
intake levels, and tolerable upper intake levels
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