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Relationship between gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children

Murat Argon1, Ulkem Duygun, Gozde Daglioz

  • 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Bornova, Turkey. argon@egenet.com.tr

Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|April 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Delayed gastric emptying may contribute to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children. This study found prolonged gastric emptying times in infants and children with more severe GER, suggesting a potential pathogenetic role.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Digestive Physiology

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in infants and children.
  • The interplay between gastric emptying and GER requires further investigation.
  • Understanding these relationships can inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between gastric emptying and GER in pediatric patients.
  • To determine if delayed gastric emptying is associated with GER disease.
  • To explore age-related differences in this association.

Main Methods:

  • 108 pediatric patients (3 months-5 years) with suspected GER disease underwent scintigraphy.
  • Gastric emptying was assessed using Tc-99m sulfur colloid, with half emptying time (T1/2) measured.
  • GER episodes were detected and graded based on scintigraphic findings.

Main Results:

  • 37% of patients exhibited GER on scintigraphy.
  • No significant difference in gastric emptying time was found between GER-positive and GER-negative groups overall.
  • However, patients with grade 2 GER showed significantly prolonged gastric emptying times compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Delayed gastric emptying is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of GER in infants and children.
  • The severity of GER correlates with the degree of gastric emptying delay.
  • These findings highlight the importance of assessing gastric emptying in pediatric GER evaluation.
Abstract

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