Antroduodenal Manometry in Children with No Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms

BACKGROUND: The interpretation of antroduodenal manometry in children with gastrointestinal motility disorder has been limited by a paucity of data from normal children. The purpose of this study was to define antroduodenal manometry findings in children with no upper gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS: We reviewed 260 consecutive antroduodenal manometries and selected 18 studies from subjects aged 2-12 years with no symptoms referable to a gastrointestinal motility disorder involving the stomach and/or the small bowel. RESULTS: During fasting, phase 3 of the migrating motor complex (MMC) was present in 14 of 18 children, and it was induced by erythromycin in 4 who failed to have a spontaneous phase 3. Phase 3 propagation velocity increased significantly with age. The cycle length between MMCs showed no age-dependent variation. Phase 3 occupied 3%; phase 1, 10%; and phase 2, 87% of the fasting recording time. CONCLUSIONS: Antroduodenal manometry findings in children with no upper gastrointestinal symptoms are similar to those in adults.