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Effect of carob bean on gastric emptying time in Thai infants

Boosba Vivatvakin1, Vacharee Buachum

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. fmedbvv@md.md2.chula.ac.th

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|June 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Carob bean gum effectively reduced vomiting and improved weight gain in infants with reflux symptoms. However, this thickening agent did not significantly alter gastric emptying time.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Thickening agents like carob bean gum are used for infant gastroesophageal reflux.
  • Galactomannans are effective in managing reflux symptoms in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of carob bean gum on gastric emptying and regurgitation symptoms in infants.
  • To assess the clinical efficacy of carob bean gum in managing infant reflux.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 20 full-term Thai infants without pathological gastroesophageal reflux.
  • Gastric emptying half time (T 1/2 GET) was measured using Tc99m radioscintigraphy.
  • Infants were initially fed standard formula, then carob bean formula for 2-4 weeks, with assessments of weight gain and symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant improvements were observed in vomiting frequency (P<0.0001) and quantity (P<0.001).
  • Significant improvements in weekly weight gain were noted (P=0.005).
  • No significant difference was found in gastric emptying half time (P=0.154).

Conclusions:

  • Carob bean gum as a thickening agent improves clinical symptoms in regurgitating infants.
  • The study suggests carob bean gum benefits infant reflux symptoms without altering gastric emptying physiology.

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