Effect of a water-soluble fiber (galactomannans)-enriched formula on gastric emptying time of regurgitating infants evaluated using an ultrasound technique

Background: Milk formulas enriched with water-soluble fibers are a first-li ne measure for infants with gastroesophageal reflux. However, it has been r eported that these compounds could affect gastric emptying. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these thickeners on gastric emptying time in infants with frequent regurgitation or vomiting. Methods: Forty-seven infants, aged 1 to 12 months, with uncomplicated gastr oesophageal reflux underwent two ultrasound evaluations of gastric emptying time after receiving either a standard formula or a formula enriched with 0.4 g galactomannan per 100 mi diluted milk. Gastric emptying time was calc ulated by measuring the antrum area at baseline and at defined intervals ov er the next 3 hours. Results: The gastric emptying time (mean +/- SD) for the standard: and the thickened formula was 136 +/- 33 and 133 +/- 34 minutes, respectively. Ther e was no significant difference in the gastric emptying patterns of the two formulas. Gastric emptying time was longer after the standard formula in 1 5 of the 47 subjects, shorter in 15 of the 47, and the same in 17 of the 47 . Conclusions: The ingestion of a water-soluble fiber-enriched formula does n ot have any significant influence on the gastric emptying time of infants w ith frequent regurgitation or vomiting.