| Acromion- |
The outer end of the
spine of the scapula which projects as a broad, flattened process
on the shoulders. |
| ABW- |
Actual body weight |
| Albumin- |
A simple protein widely
distributed throughout the tissue and fluids of the body. |
| Albuminuria- |
Albumin in the urine. |
| Anemia- |
a deficiency in the
number of red blood cells as a result of rapid blood loss or
decreased production. |
| Anorexia- |
loss of appetite |
| Anorexia nervosa- |
a condition marked by
prolonged loss of appetite accompanied with weight loss and psychotic
symptoms. |
| Alkaline phosphatase- |
enzyme that liberates
inorganic phosphate from phosphoric compounds. It acts in alkaline
solutions and is present in bone, blood, intestinal wall, kidney,
muscle and other tissues. |
| Biochemical data- |
selected components
of the blood, serum or urine for determining nutrient status:
hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, MCV, ferritin, albumin, sodium, potassium,
calcium, phosphorus, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL,
LDL, serum 25-OH D, serum alkaline phosphatase, ascorbate, or
folate. Used for identifying nutrient deficiencies. |
| BSA- |
Body surface area |
| BW- |
Body weight; birth weight;
body water |
| Calorie- |
A measure of energy
in food or energy expended for activity or exercise. Carbohydrates,
protein and fat are sources of dietary calories. |
| Dietitian- |
An expert in nutrition
who helps people plan the kinds and amounts of foods to eat for
special health needs. A registered dietitian (RD) has completed
training and passed a registration examination as required by
the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic
Association. |
| HCT- |
Hematocrit; cells
and other particulate elements of the blood. |
| Kwashiorkor- |
severe protein-calorie
malnutrition often found in populations with limited resources
to buy food. It is often found in developing countries or in
pockets of poverty in this country. |
| Hemoglobin- |
The red, respiratory
substance in red blood cells consisting of 6% iron-containing
heme and 94% globin, a protein. |
| Kcal- |
Kilocalorie |
| IBW- |
Ideal body weight |
| Nephrotic Syndrome- |
A non-inflammatory disease
of the kidney characterized by degeneration of the epithelial
lining of the renal tubules and accompanied by edema. |
| Nutritionist- |
Specialist in nutrition.
People may call themselves a nutritionist whether or not they
have met the qualifications required to become a registered dietitian. |
| Olecranon- |
Tip of the elbow. |
| Rickets- |
A disease occuring in
infants and young children characterized by softening of the
bones, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and general tenderness
of the body when touched. |
| Serum- |
Refers to the fluid
portion of the blood obtained after coagulation. |
| Selected Signs of Undernutrition - |
|
| |
|
Indication |
Nutrient deficiencies |
| Apathy, unattentiveness
or unresponsiveness to surroundings; irritability: |
iron, thiamin, protein, niacin,
sodium. |
| Clinical pallor related
to skin, nailbeds, mucosa and lips: |
Folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron |
| Hair changes in texture
(brittle) or color (dyspigmentation), or easily pluckable: |
protein, vitamin B complex |
| Eye signs: |
conjunctiva dryness or xeropthalmia:
vitamin A, riboflavin |
| Mouth changes: swollen,
puffy lips or angular lesion at corner of the mouth, bleeding
gums, beefy red, fissured tongue and mottled teeth: |
riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6,
B12, C, iron and fluorine |
| Skin changes:
sagging folds, purplish discoloration, dryness, scaliness: |
calorie, protein, vitamin A, B6,
C, folic acid, niacin. |
| Neck - enlargement of
thyroid gland: |
iodine |
| Potbelly: |
protein, vitamin D, calcium |
| Skeletal deformities: |
bowleggedness, knock-knees: vitamin
D, calcium |
|
| Subclinical- |
Denoting a period prior
to the appearance of symptoms in the evolution of a disease. |
| Tetany- |
A disorder marked by
intermittent tonic muscular contractions accompanied by fibrillary
tremors, paresthesias and muscular pains. Can be caused by deficiency
of calcium salts. |
| Transferrin- |
An iron-transferring
protein of the blood capable of associating reversibility with
iron. The percentage transferring value is an index of iron status. |
Undernutrition,
causes of - |
Decreased nutrient utilization such as drug-nutrient
interaction or inborn errors of metabolism or increased nutrient
losses. Causes can be classified as primary or secondary
|
a. Primary cause: inadequate dietary intake
such as poor appetite |
|
b. Secondary causes: inadequate digestion
and absorption secondary to conditions or diseases such as diarrhea,
drug-food interaction or dental and swallowing problems; alcohol
abuse, blood loss, uncontrolled diabetes, diarrhea or dialysis. |
|
| URI- |
Upper respiratory infection. |
| Xeropthalmia- |
Extreme dryness of the conjunctiva,
which loses its luster and becomes skinlike in appearance; can
be caused by deficiency of vitamin A in the diet. |
