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Achlorhydria |
A lack of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps digest food. |
Anemia |
The condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. |
Anencephaly |
A condition, where part or all of the brain and skull bones may be missing. Babies with this defect are miscarried or die shortly after birth. |
Antiemetics |
Drugs or supplements that prevent vomiting. |
Bioavailable |
Available for use in the body. |
Cardiovascular |
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels. |
Cognitive |
Pertaining to intellectual ability. |
Dehydration |
Severe loss of body fluid. |
Dyspnea |
Being out of breath. |
Electrolyte disturbances |
Severe loss of body fluids can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This can disturb nerve and muscle function. |
Esophagus |
Section of the digestive tube within the throat. |
Ferritin |
Major iron storage protein. Serum ferritin levels indicate of the amount of iron stored in the body. |
Ferrous fumerate
Ferrous sulfate |
Ferrous sulfate and ferrus fumerate are used to treat iron deficiency anemia. Both are associated with nausea and abdominal discomfort. |
Free radicals |
An atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. |
Gestation |
The period of development in the uterus from conception until birth; pregnancy. |
Hematocrit (Hct) |
The percentage of red blood cells in a given sample of blood after centrifugation. |
Heme |
Heme contains iron and gives a red color to the hemoglobin molecule. |
Hemodilution |
A condition where the blood becomes thinner because cell free fluid has been added. |
| Heme Iron Polypeptide |
A non-ionic natural form of iron that does not require Vitamin C for absorption. |
Hemoglobin (Hb) |
The oxygen-carrying pigment and predominant protein in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin consists of four heme groups surrounding a globin group. |
Hyperemesis gravidarum |
A severe form of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). |
Hypotension |
Low blood pressure. |
Ketosis |
A condition characterized by abnormally high concentration of ketone bodies in the body tissues and fluids, which can be caused by severe NVP. |
Lactation |
The period after birth during which the mother’s breasts produce milk so she can breast-feeding her baby. |
Menstruation |
The monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of non-pregnant women from puberty to the end of their childbearing years. |
Motility |
Movement of contents through the gastrointestinal tract. |
Motor skills |
Skills involving physical performance. |
Neural tube defect (NTD) |
Birth defect of the central nervous system caused by the defective neural tube closure during the first trimester of pregnancy. |
Oxidative stress |
A condition caused by an excess of free radicals that react with cellular components. Oxidative stress is associated with many diseases such as heart disease, HIV, hepatitis, and cancer. |
| Polysaccahanide Iron Complex |
A non-ionic synthetic iron surrounded by a complex of carbohydrates. |
Postnatal |
After birth. |
Premature birth |
A birth is considered premature if it occurs more than three weeks before the due date. |
Prenatal |
Before birth. |
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) |
Proton-pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. They are used to prevent and treat conditions such as stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease. |
Spina bifida |
In this condition, the spine and back bones do not close completely a section of the spinal cord may protrude through an opening in the child’s back. Lifelong disabilities may include partial paralysis, loss of bowel and bladder control, and learning disabilities. |
Tachycardia |
Excessively fast heart beat
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