Gastric Emptying of liquids in Children

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine normal values for gastric half emptying time (t1/2GE) of liquids in healthy children.

METHODS: Gastric emptying (GE) of a standardized test milk-drink measured with Technetium scintigraphy and the C-acetate breath test (C-ABT) were compared in 19 children aged between 4 and 15 years with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The C-ABT was subsequently used to determine normal values for GE of the same liquid test meal in 133 healthy children aged between 1 and 17 years.

RESULTS: In the group of children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, the results showed a significant correlation (r = 0.604, p = 0.0006) between t1/2GE measured with both techniques. In the group of healthy children, the results of t1/2GE showed that there was no influence of age, gender, weight, height and body mass index on GE.

CONCLUSIONS: Normal values for GE of a standardized test milk-drink in healthy children were determined with the C-ABT. This technique is considered reliable and is well accepted by the patients.