[Gastric emptying in children. VII. Influence of body posture, using an oral hydration solution as the test meal].

Twenty four infants and children of both sexes with age ranging from 1 day to 18 months, and weighing between 2700 g and 10000 g, were studied. There were several reasons for admission; but during performance of the tests they were in complete recuperation of their illness and there was no evidence of gastrointestinal disturbs. Four gastric emptying studies were performed in every subject, in consecutive days, between 10 to 12 A.M. A nasogastric tube was used for injecting the test meals; these consisted of a dilute solution of phenolsulfonphthalein in a hydration oral solution recommended by W. H. O. Residual gastric volume was measured at the "free" position (without contention), and supine, right and left lateral decubitus, when the subjects were immobilized with a sheet. The test's sequence was aleatory. Our data allows us to conclude that the child's decubitus has an influence on gastric emptying when using the W.H.O. solution for oral hydration. Although no differences were observed, among the "free" position, right lateral and supine decubitus, the gastric emptying in the left lateral decubitus was significantly retarded. Even though this study has been carried among children without diarrhea or dehydration we still advise rapid gastric emptying position during rehydration in these little patients.