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[Gastric emptying in children. I. Influence of the temperature of a hydration solution for oral use]
Insights
Cold liquid feeds significantly increase gastric retention in infants and newborns, potentially by reducing gastric peristalsis and inhibiting vomiting. This finding is crucial for optimizing feeding practices in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neonatal Physiology
Context:
- Infants and newborns often receive nutrition via nasogastric tube.
- Understanding factors affecting gastric emptying is vital for infant feeding.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of liquid solution temperature on gastric emptying in infants and newborns.
- To determine if cold solutions affect gastric retention differently than room-temperature solutions.
Summary:
- Sixteen infants and newborns (8 each) were studied, receiving nasogastric tube feeds at approximately 27°C and 4°C.
- Gastric retention was assessed using phenol red as a marker, measuring injected volume, aspirated volume, and marker concentration after 10 minutes.
- Results indicated significantly higher gastric retention with cold (4°C) solutions compared to room-temperature (27°C) solutions.
Impact:
- Cold liquid feeds may decrease gastric peristalsis, leading to increased gastric retention in neonates.
- Findings suggest a potential mechanism where cold solutions inhibit vomiting, warranting consideration in clinical feeding protocols.
- This research provides valuable insights for optimizing infant feeding strategies and managing gastrointestinal function in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
The effect of temperature of solutions on gastric emptying was studied in sixteen children (8 infants and 8 newborns). At the time of the study all of them were being fed by nasogastric tube. Each baby had measured its gastric emptying for two different temperature solutions, approximately 27 degrees C and 4 degrees C, room and cold temperature. The gastric retention was calculated by knowing the injected volume, of about 20 ml per kilo of weight, the aspirated volume after 10 minutes and the obtained concentration of phenol red used as marker. The results showed a significant larger gastric retention for low temperature one. Possibly, low temperature solutions decrease the gastric peristalsis in accordance with hypothesis that low temperature solutions may inhibit vomiting.