Glossary of terms

constipation

typically defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week

cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)

characterized by recurrent spells of severe nausea and intense vomiting. Once considered rare, CVS is now a common disorder that affects many children today - most between 3 and 7.

See also Overview of Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (digestive disorders)

dysphagia

a term that means "difficulty swallowing." It is the inability of food or liquids to pass easily from the mouth, into the throat, and down into the esophagus to the stomach during swallowing.

See also Dysphagia

Helicobacter pylori

a spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach, which helps cause inflammation and peptic ulcers

See also Helicobacter pylori

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver that sometimes causes permanent damage; caused by viruses, drugs, alcohol, or parasites. Hepatitis has a number of forms.

See also Hepatitis

inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis)

thought to be an unusual immune response to bacteria normally found in the intestines

intussusception

when a portion of the intestine folds like a telescope, with one segment slipping inside another segment

See also Surgery (general)

jaundice

an accumulation of bilirubin (waste product that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin molecules from worn out red blood cells) in the skin and mucous membranes; the eyes, skin turn yellow

liver failure

a rare but often-fatal condition in children; accounts for 10-15 percent of all pediatric liver transplants

necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

a serious intestinal illness in babies

See also Necrotizing enterocolitis; Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas; sometimes involves adjacent tissues and remote systems

stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers)

located in the stomach, is called a gastric ulcer; in the duodenum, is called a duodenal ulcer