Gabapentin Improves Oral Feeding in Neurologically Intact Infants With Abdominal Disorders
Insights
Gabapentin effectively treated feeding intolerance and retching in medically complex infants with presumed visceral hyperalgesia. This intervention improved oral feeding tolerance and allowed for successful weaning off gabapentin without side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Medically complex infants often experience feeding intolerance, poor oral feeding skills, and retching.
- These symptoms are frequently associated with abdominal disorders and surgical history, including gastrostomy tubes and Nissen fundoplication.
- Visceral hyperalgesia is a potential contributing factor to these feeding difficulties.
Observation:
- This study reports on three infants with presumed visceral hyperalgesia presenting with significant feeding intolerance.
- Symptoms included poor tolerance to enteral and oral feeds, accompanied by retching and discomfort.
Findings:
- Oral gabapentin administration resolved retching and outward discomfort within 2-3 days.
- All three patients achieved full oral feeds within 3-4 months of initiating gabapentin.
- No changes were made to other medications or therapies during the study period.
Implications:
- Gabapentin shows promise as a treatment for feeding intolerance in infants with visceral hyperalgesia.
- Successful weaning from gabapentin was achieved without adverse effects or impact on feeding ability.
- Further research into gabapentin's role in pediatric feeding disorders is warranted.
Abstract:
Feeding intolerance, poor oral feeding skills, and retching are common symptoms seen in medically complex infants with a history of abdominal disorders and surgical interventions, such as gastrostomy tube placement and Nissen fundoplication. Visceral hyperalgesia may play a role in the underlying pathophysiology. We report the use of orally administered gabapentin in 3 infants with presumed visceral hyperalgesia presenting as poor tolerance of enteral and oral feeds. Retching and outward discomfort associated with feeds was resolved within 2 to 3 days of initiation of therapy. Full oral feeds were obtained in all 3 patients within 3 to 4 months of starting gabapentin without changing adjunctive medications or therapies. After attainment of full oral feeds, all patients were successfully weaned off gabapentin over a month, with no notable side effects, signs of withdrawal, or impact on ability to feed by mouth.
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