Gastric emptying with gastro-oesophageal reflux. Issue 5 (May 1987)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Lorenzo, C; Piepsz, A; Ham, H; Cadranel, S
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 62:Issue 5(1987)
• Page Start: 449
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 1987-05
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.62.5.449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : The time taken for gastric emptying of a liquid (milk) or a semi-liquid (pudding) meal was evaluated in 477 infants and children. These patients were referred for suspected gastro-oesophageal reflux and underwent gastro-oesophageal scintigraphy, prolonged oesophageal pH study, manometric evaluation of the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, and fibreoptic endoscopy. No difference in gastric emptying was observed in children aged under 3 years, regardless of the presence or absence of the gastro-oesophageal reflux, the pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter, or the presence of oesophagitis. In children over 6 years, however, gastric emptying was significantly delayed in those presenting with reflux compared with those without reflux; in children over 3 years there was slower gastric emptying in those with a decreased lower oesophageal sphincter pressure compared with those with higher pressure and in those with overt oesophagitis compared with those without oesophagitis. This study suggests that gastro-oesophageal reflux is more severe in childhood than in infancy, probably due to more complex motor disorders affecting the gastric fundus as well as lower oesophageal sphincter function.