Related Experiment Videos
Patterns of gastric myoelectrical activity in human subjects of different ages
1Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research, Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, USA.
Insights
Gastric myoelectrical activity, measured by electrogastrography (EGG), shows significant developmental changes after birth. Gastric slow waves mature from infancy through childhood, reaching adult levels by age 4.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Physiology
- Bioelectrical Signal Analysis
Background:
- Gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) is crucial for digestion.
- Understanding its developmental trajectory in humans is essential for interpreting physiological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental changes in human gastric myoelectrical activity from birth through adulthood.
- To establish normative electrogastrogram (EGG) parameters across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Surface electrogastrography (EGG) was used to record GMA in five age groups: preterm newborns, full-term newborns, infants (2-6 months), children (4-11 years), and adults.
- Spectral analysis was applied to EGG recordings before and after a test meal.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of 2- to 4-cycles/min (cpm) gastric slow waves significantly increased with age.
- Preterm and full-term newborns had low percentages (26.6% and 30.0%, respectively), which rose to 70% in infants, 84.6% in children, and 88.9% in adults.
- These changes were statistically significant between newborns and infants (P < 0.001) and between infants and children (P < 0.03).
Conclusions:
- Gastric slow waves are largely absent at birth and undergo a significant maturation process postnatally.
- Electrogastrogram (EGG) data interpretation requires age-matched controls for neonates and infants.
- EGG patterns in children aged 4-11 years are comparable to those in adults.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental change of gastric myoelectrical activity in humans. Five groups of healthy subjects were studied, including 10 preterm newborns, 8 full-term newborns, 8 full-term infants (ages 2-6 mo), 9 children (ages 4-11 yr), and 9 adults. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface electrogastrography for 30 min before and 30 min after a test meal in each subject. Spectral analysis methods were applied to compute the parameters of the electrogastrogram (EGG). The results showed that the percentage of 2- to-4-cycles/min (cpm) slow waves was 26.6 +/- 3.9% in the preterm newborns, 30.0 +/- 4.0% in full-term newborns, 70 +/- 6.1% in 2- to 6-mo-old infants (P < 0.001 compared with newborns), 84.6 +/- 3.2% in 4- to 11-yr-old children (P < 0.03 compared with infants), and 88.9 +/- 2.2% in the adults (P > 0.05 compared with children). In conclusion, gastric slow waves are absent at birth, and there is a maturing process after birth. Age-matched controls are necessary for the interpretation of EGG data from neonates and infants, whereas EGG data in children are the same as in adults.