The suffering of newborns has been highlighted as a result of the widespread formula shortage. However, some older children and adults rely on specially prepared powders, much of which is manufactured by Abbott, to compensate for a range of diseases ranging from misshapen intestines and allergies to difficulties digesting nutrients such as protein. While most healthy newborns can readily transfer from brand to brand, a badly picked alternative can either taste unpleasant or cause dehydration, convulsions, and even death.

Tiffani Hays, the director of pediatric clinical nutrition education and practice at Johns Hopkins Hospital, says, “It’s a cautionary tale of allowing a company to monopolize the marketplace when it’s a very sensitive population of clients."

The US has been dealing with a baby formula shortage that has affected several states.

Since February, four children have fallen ill and two have died.

The Washington Post reported that one child with a rare disorder called phenylketonuria, or PKU, needs Abbott's Phenex formula. Without it for a long period of time, she would most certainly acquire intellectual deficiencies, as well as other serious health issues. Amino acid-modified formula is still important in adulthood, especially for anybody thinking about getting pregnant, because untreated PKU may wreak havoc on a baby's development.

On April 29, Abbott said that it will continue distributing limited amounts of the metabolic formulae that had been halted, including Phenex. EleCare, another regularly used product, was announced last week by the firm. The Sturgis facility is set to reopen on Saturday, with a focus on producing these and other specialty items, but it will be six to eight weeks before they reach the people who rely on them. “Our number one priority is getting infants and families the high-quality formulas they need," an Abbott representative stated.

Read more: House Democrats tackle baby formula shortage with $28 mln bill

The formula scarcity has brought long-term systemic concerns into sharp relief for Hannah Dolins, 26, who was diagnosed with maple syrup urine disease, or MSUD, shortly after birth. MSUD is a rare, genetic condition that hinders the body from breaking down protein in meals such as meat and fish, resulting in a buildup of toxins in the blood and urine.

“I don’t know why we can’t have a little stockpile just in case something like this ever happened again,” she said. “Just to make sure we can survive.”

Commenting on the closing of the Abbott factory she stated that “I was terrified. If this doesn’t open up and I run out of formula, I would die. I would literally die."

According to Chester Brown and Joel Mroczkowski, clinical geneticists at the same hospital, the Abbott facility closure is not the first time patients have been concerned about shortages. Natural calamities such as tornadoes and floods have disrupted the supply chain. Keeping patients fed has been a "community effort," Brown said, with physicians and nutritionists coordinating with insurance companies to allow for replacements in a time of crisis.