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-line measure for infants with gastroesophageal reflux. However, it has been reported 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 gastroesophageal 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 ml diluted milk. Gastric emptying time was calculated by measuring the antrum area at baseline and at defined intervals over 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. There was no significant difference in the gastric emptying patterns of the two formulas. Gastric emptying time was longer after the standard formula in 15 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 not have any significant influence on the gastric emptying time of infants with frequent regurgitation or vomiting.
Fabiani
E
E
Department of Pediatrics at University of Ancona, Italy. elisabetta.fab@tiscalinet.it
Bolli
V
V
Pieroni
G
G
Corrado
G
G
Carlucci
A
A
De Giacomo
C
C
Catassi
C
C
D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008351:Mannans; C012990:galactomannan; D005690:Galactose