Gastric emptying in infants with gastroesophageal reflux Ultrasound evaluation before and after cisapride administration

The present study aimed to evaluate gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by means of real-time ultrasonography, on the basis of measurements of the cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum. Twelve children with GER were studied (seven males, five females; age range, 3-13 months) and compared with 12 normal control children (six males, six females; age range, 3-13 months). The diagnosis of GER was confirmed by 24-h esophageal pH-monitoring. The GER patients had a significantly greater antral area than the controls at 90, 105, and 120 min aftereating a standard meal (cow's milk formula, 300 ml/m2 body surface area); in addition, final gastric emptying time was sig…