Metabolic disorders and other rare events

I’ve cared for many babies in the ICU with various metabolic disorders and conditions that cause malabsorbtion in the intestines. Simply put, they aren’t able to absorb and process the nutrients in the milk they drink or the foods they eat. There are a variety of causes and symptoms that range from diarrhea to poor weight gain and delayed growth.  As these babies are evaluated, they need nourishment and luckily there are a variety of specialty formulas available to them.  The pediatricians and gastro-intestinal specialists rely on research and development that drives the production of specialty formulas that most people have never heard of. I remember mixing up specialty powdered formulas for children with Maple Syrup Urine Disease.  Yes, there is such a thing, and it’s called that because of the sweet, maple odor that comes from the baby’s urine. And then there are the other children, like one of my nephews, who was one of those babies who was allergic to everything, had on-going colic for months, and needed a specialty formula that had a long and bizarre name, smelled awful to me, but saved his life. Sure these conditions are rare, but if your baby needs them, it’s a comfort to know that specialty formulas are available.