Gastric emptying of solids is slower in functional dyspepsia unrelated to Helicobacter pylori infection in female children and teenagers.

AIM

To evaluate gastric emptying of solids in children and adolescents with functional dyspepsia with and without Helicobacter pylori infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 27 female patients (mean age 13.38 +/- 2.81 y) with functional dyspepsia according to Rome II criteria who were selected after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy found no major mucosal abnormality. Fragments were collected from the esophagus, gastric antrum, and gastric body for histological examination and rapid urease test. H. pylori infection was diagnosed according to the rapid urease test and histological appearance. The histological appearance of the gastric mucosa was evaluated according to modified Sydney criteria. A C-octanoic breath test was performed after a test meal (2 slices of toasted bread, 10 g margarine, and 1 egg with 100 microL of the tracer dipped in the yolk) with 13 points of air collection in 4 hours.

RESULTS

Infection with H. pylori was observed in 12 of 27 patients (44.4%). The gastric emptying half-time was shorter in infected patients than in uninfected patients (mean +/- SD 153.4 +/- 20.0 min vs 179.2 +/- 32.2 min; P = 0.019), as was the lag phase (106.3 +/- 22.6 vs 126.6 +/- 22.7 min; P = 0.038). There was no relationship between gastric emptying (half-time and lag phase) and degree of histological abnormality. Vomiting and nausea were associated with slower gastric emptying in patients without H. pylori gastritis more often than in infected patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that delayed gastric emptying can play an important role in a subgroup of dyspeptic patients, particularly those without H. pylori infection who have nausea and vomiting.