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Mydriatics slow gastric emptying in preterm infants

S Bonthala1, J W Sparks, K H Musgrove

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Texas, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|September 2, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Mydriatics used for retinopathy of prematurity screening in preterm infants significantly impair duodenal motor activity and delay gastric emptying, potentially causing feeding issues. This study investigated these gastrointestinal effects in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Motility

Background:

  • Preterm infants often experience feeding difficulties, including abdominal distention and gastric residuals, following retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening.
  • These feeding issues are linked to motor function abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare antral and duodenal motor activity in preterm infants before and after mydriatic instillation for ROP screening.
  • To assess the impact of mydriatics on gastric emptying in these infants.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a low compliance continuous perfusion manometric system to record antral and duodenal motor activity.
  • Compared motor activity and gastric emptying in 11 preterm infants before and after mydriatic eye examinations for ROP.

Main Results:

  • Duodenal motor contractions decreased significantly (nearly fourfold) after mydriatic instillation compared to baseline (P <.01).
  • Gastric emptying was significantly delayed post-eye examination compared to pre-examination (P <.05).
  • Antral motor contractions remained relatively constant.

Conclusions:

  • Current mydriatic dosages inhibit duodenal motor activity in preterm infants.
  • Mydriatics significantly delay gastric emptying, contributing to feeding difficulties observed on ROP screening days.
Abstract

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