Concomitant gastroparesis negatively affects children with functional gallbladder disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Hepatobiliary Disorders
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background:

• Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is a functional gallbladder disorder.
• Gastroparesis (GP) is characterized by delayed gastric emptying.
• The co-occurrence of GP and BD in children is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of concomitant gastroparesis (GP) in children diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia (BD).
• To investigate the impact of concurrent GP on the clinical outcomes of children with BD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with BD (ejection fraction <35%).
• Inclusion criteria required a solid-phase gastric emptying scintigraphy scan within 12 months of abnormal cholescintigraphy.
• Patients were categorized into four clinical outcome groups: excellent, good, fair, and poor.

Main Results:

• Out of 35 children, 20 (57%) had concomitant GP and BD.
• Children with both GP and BD showed a higher likelihood of poor clinical outcomes compared to those with BD alone (P<0.005).
• In children who underwent cholecystectomy, concomitant GP was associated with fair or poor outcomes (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Concomitant gastroparesis is a potential comorbidity in children with functional gallbladder disorders.
• The presence of gastroparesis may adversely affect the clinical prognosis for children diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia.