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Gastric emptying of solids in normal children--a preliminary report

Shailinder Jit Singh1, Nicola J Gibbons, P Elaine Blackshaw

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH Nottingham, UK. shailinder@ntlworld.com

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|February 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study established normal gastric emptying ranges in healthy children aged 5-10 years using a Tc 99m-labeled solid meal. The mean half-emptying time was 107.2 minutes, providing a benchmark for pediatric transit studies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nuclear Medicine Imaging
  • Physiological Studies

Background:

  • Gastric emptying physiological ranges in healthy children are not well-documented.
  • Establishing normal parameters is crucial for diagnosing pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders.
  • Previous studies lacked standardized, child-accepted solid meal protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the physiological range of gastric emptying in healthy children aged 5 to 10 years.
  • To identify a child-friendly solid meal suitable for radionuclide imaging.
  • To establish normal gastric emptying curves and T1/2 times in the pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire identified preferred child-friendly foods; a chocolate cake was selected.
  • A volume survey determined an optimal 30-g solid meal weight.
  • Gastric emptying was monitored using Technetium-99m (Tc 99m)-labeled solid meals in 24 healthy children (5-10 years) via gamma camera imaging.

Main Results:

  • The chocolate cake was highly acceptable to the pediatric subjects.
  • The mean T1/2 gastric emptying time (time to empty half the stomach) was 107.2 minutes.
  • The calculated range for T1/2 gastric emptying time was 54.6 to 159.8 minutes.

Conclusions:

  • A Tc 99m-labeled chocolate cake meal is acceptable and effective for assessing gastric emptying in children aged 5-10 years.
  • The established normal T1/2 gastric emptying time is 107.2 minutes.
  • This standardized meal provides a valuable tool for evaluating pediatric patients with gastric transit issues.
Abstract

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