Two children in Tennessee were recently hospitalized because their families could not find the specific formula they needed during a nationwide shortage that has worsened in the past month, prompting parents to frantically seek intermediate solutions.
Both children have short bowel syndrome, which prevents them from absorbing nutrients properly because some of their small intestines are missing, according to Dr. Mark Corkins, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, where the children are treated. Their condition requires special dietary interventions.
One of the preschool children was hospitalized in late April and is still in hospital. The other, a young child, was hospitalized last week and has returned home ever since.
Every child needs an amino acid-based formula and has taken EleCare, a product made by Abbott Nutrition, which closed its Sturgis, Michigan plant and voluntarily withdrew some of its products in February after at least four babies consumed them. hospitalized with a rare but serious bacterial infection. Abbott reached an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration this week that allowed it to resume production at the Sturgis plant in two weeks. The products of this plant can reach the shelves within two months.
Abbott products account for 48.1% of the market share of infant formula, according to a report by IBIS World in 2020, which makes it difficult for the industry to rapidly increase supplies. Combined with pandemic problems in the supply chain, the withdrawal was a catalyst for drastic shortages across the country.
Dr. Corkin called it the worst crisis he has ever had in his medical career. He said there has recently been an increase in calls from families whose children have disabilities or medical conditions that require them to be on specific formulas.
The two children hospitalized in Tennessee whose families refused to speak to the media did not respond well to several other types of formulas that Dr. Corkins tried to give them. Other formulas have proteins that need to be broken down by the human body, but the protein in EleCare consists of essential amino acids.
“They don’t have to assimilate it, they just assimilate it,” Dr. Corkins said.
Regarding the other formulas, Dr. Corkins said, the children had dehydration and diarrhea or had too many leaks in their stoma bags. To keep them healthy, he had to put them on IV fluids and nutrition, which he said posed a risk of infection and did not give the stomach or intestines the optimal level of nutrients.
Other short-term risks of a lack of proper nutrients, he said, include elevated levels of potassium and salt in the blood, which can cause heart or kidney complications. Dr Corkins said he was also concerned about the long-term effects on brain growth and development.
“Even if they don’t go out, don’t dehydrate and have fluid problems, I’m worried about getting enough food to grow properly,” he said.
Navigation in the shortage of baby formula in the United States
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A growing problem. A national shortage of baby formula – caused in part by supply chain problems and exacerbated by the withdrawal from baby food maker Abbott Nutrition – has left parents confused and worried. Here are some ways to manage this uncertainty:
Finding a formula. If your baby’s formula has not been affected by the download but is not yet available, you can try calling local stores to ask when they expect to get it back in stock. You may also be able to buy it online. If your baby is on a special formula, contact the doctor’s office: there may be samples in stock.
Choosing a new formula. If you usually use a brand name formula, look for its general version. Alternatively, look for a new formula that matches the ingredients listed in your usual. If your baby is on a special formula for health reasons, consult your pediatrician before changing.
Switch to a new product. Ideally, you will want to change your child gradually. Start by mixing three-quarters of your usual formula with a quarter of the new one and gradually remove the old product. If you can’t switch gradually because you’ve exhausted your usual formula, that’s fine, although you may notice more gas or nervousness during the transition.
What not to do. If you can’t find your baby’s usual formula, don’t make your own – home-made formulas are often inadequate in terms of nutrition and are at risk of contamination. Don’t try to “stretch” your formula by adding extra water and don’t buy it from untested online markets like Craigslist. For a baby under 1 year, do not use formula for a small child.
On Tuesday, Democrats in the House of Representatives proposed an emergency funding bill that would provide the FDA with $ 28 million to tackle the current crisis and prepare for a future shortage. The law is expected to reach the hall this week.
Deficiency is a particular challenge for low-income families and those whose children have limited diets and disabilities. Some parents have considered diluting the formula to prolong it, but doctors have warned against doing so because it can lead to serious health problems. The Ministry of Health and Human Services has issued a fact sheet with resources to help families find a formula.
Nurses and doctors at Dr. Corkins Hospital are working with patients to safely change formula prescriptions and perform follow-up examinations and tests on children, he said. Many of the most affected children have short bowel syndrome, enzyme defects that affect the way they can break down food, or other intestinal conditions.
Dr Corkins said families who could not find formula should see their pediatricians and monitor their children’s health closely. For now, he said, hospitals across the country will likely have to take temporary measures that are not ideal for children.
“There are enough of these children out there that we are not alone,” he said. “We will stumble until the formula comes back.”
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