Postprandial gastric motility in infants with gastroesophageal reflux and delayed gastric emptying.

Abstract

Delayed gastric emptying of formula is observed in many infants with gastroesophageal reflux but the mechanisms responsible for this observation are not defined. Postprandial gastric motility was quantified using a perfused catheter placed into the distal stomach of five infants with gastroesophageal reflux and delayed gastric emptying of 99mTc-sulfur colloid-labeled formula. Five infants with reflux who exhibited normal emptying of formula served as the controls. Gastric motility indices were calculated for 60 min following a meal. Half the patients in each group were given metoclopramide following a 30-min recording period. In both groups, postprandial gastric motility was similar and characterized by minimal gastric contractions. Metoclopramide resulted in increased amplitude and duration of antral contractions, but no significant differences were noted between groups. The findings suggest that minimal delays in gastric emptying in infants with gastroesophageal reflux are not associated with significant alterations of postprandial gastric motility.