Gastric emptying in normal weight and obese children—an ultrasound study

Abstract

AIM: To investigate gastric emptying of a mixed solid and liquid meal in normal weight and obese children.

METHODS: 114 volunteer children of school age (range 6–11 y) entered the study. Children were considered as being underweight, normal weight, obese, severely obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and were examined using a non-invasive ultrasound method in the morning after an overnight fast period. The examination was always performed in an upright position by the same operator. The half-emptying time and fasting antral area were assessed, and antral area measurements were performed every 30 min for 240 min after meal administration.

RESULTS: Five children (4.4%) were underweight, 53 (46.5%) were normal weight, 19 (16.6%) were obese, and 37 (32.5%) were severely obese. The underweight group was not considered for the analysis. No significant difference in t_1/2 was found among the three groups. A positive statistically significant correlation was found between fasting antral area and BMI (r=0.44; P<0.0001) in all children. The fasting antral area value was 3.5 cm² (range 1.6–8.1) in normal weight children, 3.6 cm² (range 1.9–7.7) in obese children, and 3.9 cm² (range 1.5–10.8) in severely obese children. There was a significant difference between severely obese and normal weight children (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the gastric emptying between severely obese and obese children, and between severely obese and normal weight ones.

CONCLUSION: The difference in fasting antral area in these groups may be considered as an early disturbance. In fact the increased gastric volume could cause a change in the sense of satiety with a consequent increase in the intake of these subjects.