title: Effect of cisapride on gastric emptying in premature infants with feed intolerance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of cisapride on gastric emptying and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) symptoms in preterm infants with feed intolerance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen preterm infants (gestational age 24-35 weeks) with feed intolerance were enrolled in the study. Infants were randomized to receive 7 days of cisapride 0.2 mg/kg four times a day, immediately followed by 7 days of placebo or vice versa. Gastric emptying was measured using the [13C]-octanoic acid breath test prior to study entry and repeated on day 5, 6 or 7 after randomization and 5, 6 or 7 days after crossover. The symptoms of GOR were monitored during the study period using a standardized reflux chart. Weight was recorded daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no change in gastric emptying in infants prescribed cisapride (gastric half-emptying time (t1/2) 31.9 +/- 4.7 vs 34.2 +/- 3.9 min for placebo vs cisapride, respectively; P = 0.65). Infants on cisapride had slower growth and there was no change in reflux symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of cisapride in preterm infants with feed intolerance cannot be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Medicine Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia. barnettc@wch.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Omari
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goodchild
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lontis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dent
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Haslam
mesh_terms: D001944:Breath Tests; D020117:Cisapride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D020117:Cisapride