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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294383
Title: Concomitant gastroparesis negatively affects children with functional gallbladder disease

Author
item CHUMPITAZI, BRUNO - Baylor College Of Medicine
item MALOWITZ, STANTON - Baylor College Of Medicine
item MOORE, WARREN - Texas Children'S Hospital
item GOPALAKRISHNA, G - Baylor College Of Medicine
item SHULMAN, ROBERT - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2011
Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Citation: Chumpitazi, B.P., Malowitz, S.M., Moore, W., Gopalakrishna, G.S., Shulman, R.J. 2012. Concomitant gastroparesis negatively affects children with functional gallbladder disease. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 54(6):776-779.

Interpretive Summary: In children and adults, the gallbladder stores a fluid that aids in the digestion of food. However, in some people, the gallbladder does not function properly so the fluid is not emptied efficiently into the intestine. In some people, the stomach also may not empty properly after a meal. In this study, we observed that children who had problems emptying their stomachs after a meal also had the most severe gallbladder emptying problems. This study helps researchers better understand overall gut issues.

Technical Abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine whether concomitant gastroparesis and biliary dyskinesia (BD) occur in children, and if so, to determine whether concomitant gastroparesis affects clinical outcome in children with BD. We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with BD (ejection fraction <35% on cholescintigraphy, with no other metabolic or structural cause) who completed a solid-phase gastric emptying scintigraphy scan within 12 months of abnormal cholescintigraphy. Children were classified into 1 of 4 clinical outcome groups (excellent, good, fair, poor). Thirty-five children with a mean follow-up time of 23.1+/-17.3 (standard deviation) months were included. Twenty (57%) children were identified as having concomitant gastroparesis (GP) with BD. Children with concomitant GP were more likely to have a poor clinical outcome compared with those with BD alone (P<0.005). In children undergoing cholecystectomy, those with concomitant GP were more likely to have a fair or poor clinical outcome compared with those with BD alone (P<0.01). Factors predicting a more favorable clinical outcome were having BD alone and not having limitations in activity (eg, school absences) at the time of presentation. Concomitant GP may occur in children with functional gallbladder disorders. Concomitant GP may negatively affect clinical outcome in children with BD.