Assessing impaired gastric accommodation in children with functional constipation using the water load test

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Digestive Physiology

Background:

• Functional constipation is a common pediatric condition.
• Evaluating gastric accommodation is crucial for understanding digestive disorders in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess gastric accommodation in pediatric patients with functional constipation using the water load test.
• To compare gastric accommodation between children with and without functional constipation.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional case-control study involving children over 4 years old.
• Functional constipation diagnosed using Rome IV criteria.
• Water load test performed after a 3-hour fast, measuring maximum water intake in 3 minutes.

Main Results:

• Children with functional constipation (n=36) showed significantly lower water load test volumes (390±245 mL) compared to controls (n=77, 528±219 mL).
• No significant age difference between groups.
• In the functional constipation group, maximum water load volume correlated with 24-hour energy, protein, and water intake.

Conclusions:

• Gastric accommodation is impaired in children with severe functional constipation.
• Impaired gastric accommodation in these children is associated with food intake.