Gastric emptying in normal weight and obese children: an ultrasound study

To investigate gastric emptying of a mixed solid and liquid meal in normal weight and obese children. 114 volunteer children of school age (range 6-11 y) entered the study. Children were considered as being underweight, normal weight, obese, severely obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and were examined using a non-invasive ultrasound method in the morning after an overnight fast period. The examination was always performed in an upright position by the same operator. The half-emptying time and fasting antral area were assessed, and antral area measurements were performed every 30 min for 240 min after meal administration. Five children (4.4%) were underweight, 53 (46.5%) were normal weight, 19 (16.6%) were obese, and 37 (32.5%) were severely obese. The underweight group was not considered for the analysis. No significant difference in t 1/2 was found among the three groups. A positive statistically significant correlation was found between fasting antral area and BMI (r = 0.44; P