POSTPRANDIAL GASTRIC-MOTILITY IN INFANTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUXAND DELAYED GASTRIC-EMPTYING

Delayed gastric emptying of formula is observed in many infants with g astroesophageal reflux but the mechanisms responsible for this observa tion are not defined. Postprandial gastric motility was quantified usi ng a perfused catheter placed into the distal stomach of five infants with gastroesophageal reflux and delayed gastric emptying of Tc-99m-su lfur colloid-labeled formula. Five infants with reflux who exhibited n ormal emptying of formula served as the controls. Gastric motility ind ices were calculated for 60 min following a meal. Half the patients in each group were given metoclopramide following a 30-min recording per iod. In both groups, postprandial gastric motility was similar and cha racterized by minimal gastric contractions. Metoclopramide re-suited i n increased amplitude and duration of antral contractions, but no sign ificant differences were noted between groups. The findings suggest th at minimal delays in gastric emptying in infants with gastroesophageal reflux are not associated with significant alterations of postprandia l gastric motility.