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Gastric emptying of solids in children: reference values for the 13 C‐octanoic acid breath test
Author(s) -
Hauser B.,
Roelants M.,
De Schepper J.,
Veereman G.,
Caveliers V.,
Devreker T.,
De Greef E.,
Vandenplas Y.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.12845
Subject(s) - gastric emptying , gastroenterology , meal , medicine , scintigraphy , nuclear medicine , stomach
Background 99m Technetium scintigraphy ( 99m TS ) is the ‘gold standard’ for measuring gastric emptying ( GE ), but it is associated with a radiation exposure. For this reason, the 13 C‐octanoic acid breath test ( 13 C‐ OBT ) was developed for measuring GE of solids. The objective of this study was to determine normal values for gastric half‐emptying time (t 1/2 GE ) of solids in healthy children. Methods Gastric emptying of a standardized solid test meal consisting of a pancake evaluated with 99m TS and 13 C‐ OBT was compared in 22 children aged between 1 and 15 years with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Subsequently, the 13 C‐ OBT was used to determine normal values for GE of the same solid test meal in 120 healthy children aged between 1 and 17 years. Key Results The results showed a significant correlation ( r = 0.748, p = 0.0001) between t 1/2 GE measured with both techniques in the group of children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. In the group of healthy children, mean t 1/2 GE was 157.7 ± 54.0 min (range 71–415 min), but t 1/2 GE decreased with age between 1 and 10 years and remained stable afterward. There was no influence of gender, weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area on t 1/2 GE . Conclusions & Inferences Normal values for GE of solids measured with the 13 C‐ OBT using a standardized methodology were determined in healthy children. We propose to use this method and corresponding reference ranges to study GE of solids in children with gastrointestinal problems.