Effect of different quantities of a sugared clear fluid on gastric emptying and residual volume in children: a crossover study using magnetic resonance imaging
Background Gastric emptying in the first 2 h after 7 ml kg−1 of sugared clear fluid has recently been investigated in healthy children using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aims to compare gastric volume and emptying half-life during 1 h after 3 or 7 ml kg−1 sugared clear fluid intake. Methods Fourteen healthy volunteer children aged 11.1 (8.2-12.5) yr were investigated prospectively after administration of 3 and 7 ml kg−1 diluted raspberry syrup in a randomized order, after overnight fasting (baseline). Gastric content volume (GCVw) was assessed with a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner in a blinded fashion. Data are presented as median (range) and compared using the Wilcoxon test. Results Baseline GCVw was 0.39 (0.04-1.00) and 0.34 (0.07-0.75) before intake of 3 and 7 ml kg−1 syrup, respectively (P=0.93). GCVw was 0.45 (0.04-1.55)/1.33 (0.30-2.60) ml kg−1 60 min after ingestion of 3/7 ml kg−1 syrup (P=0.002). Thus GCVw had declined to baseline after 3 ml kg−1 (P=0.39) but not after 7 ml kg−1 (P=0.001) within 60 min. T1/2 was 20 (10-62)/27 (13-43) min (P=0.73) after 3/7 ml kg−1. Conclusion In healthy volunteer children, residual GCVw 1 h after intake of 3 ml kg−1 syrup is significantly smaller than that after 7 ml kg−1 and within the range of baselin
