Chronic dyspepsia is common in children. However, the association of
individual predominant symptoms with gastric emptying and their impact
on nutritional status are poorly defined. We therefore studied 31
children (mean age 11 years, 14 boys) with chronic dyspepsia and
classified their predominant symptoms (PS) by their character and
severity. Gastric emptying (GE) T-1/2 of a solid meal was carried out in
all patients, while upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done in the
treatment failures. All patients received two months treatment with
cisapride. Weight for age z scores were recorded before and three months
after treatment. There were 12 patients with epigastric pain (EP) as the
PS (7 mode rate/severe). Postprandial fullness (PF) was the PS in 19
patients (12 moderate/severe). GE T-1/2 was prolonged and weight for age
z scores were lower in children who had moderate/severe (but not mild)
PF comparing to those who had EP (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.003,
respectively). A significant improvement in weight was observed in the
same group alone following treatment with cisapride (P = 0.0003). In
conclusion, impaired GE is common in dyspeptic children with PF and have
adverse effects on nutritional status
