The effect of protein composition in liquid meals on gastric emptying rate in children with cerebral palsy

SummaryBackground & aimDysmotility, nausea and vomiting are common among children with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to evaluate influence of protein composition on rate of gastric emptying and study the relation between gastric emptying and postprandial gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods15 children with cerebral palsy, using gastrostomy, received four liquid test meals on separate days in random order. The meals contained a standard carbohydrate and fat base plus one of four protein modules (100% casein (A), hydrolysed whey (B), amino acids (C) and 40% casein/60% whey (D)) with a total energy of 1 kcal/ml. The 13C octanoic acid breath test was applied to assess gastric emptying.ResultsWhen comparing half emptying time (T1/2) of the fast emptying meals (meal B, C and D) with the slowest emptying meal (meal A), more rapid emptying was demonstrated for meal D (p < 0.001). For meal D, emptying was significantly faster in children with postprandial symptoms than in those without (p < 0.01).ConclusionIn children with cerebral palsy using gastrostomy, gastric emptying is influenced by type of protein in the meal. The present results also suggest that there is a relation between rapid gastric emptying and postprandial gastrointestinal symptoms.ClinicalTrials.govUUSKBK 28200706.