Pediatric gastroparesis

Gastroparesis (GP) has been studied to a much lesser extent in children compared to adults. The limited information regarding pediatric gastroparesis comes primarily from retrospective studies, limiting knowledge regarding its incidence, prevalence, and natural history. Indeed, confidence in the diagnosis of gastroparesis in childhood can be tenuous because of the lack of normal values for gastric emptying scintigraphy in children. In contrast to adults, gastroparesis in children is most commonly idiopathic although a viral etiology often is suspected. Boys and girls appear to be affected equally. Age significantly influences GP symptom expression with vomiting most common in infants and young children and abdominal pain predominating in older children and adolescents. Psychiatric comorbidities and significant narcotic usage appear to be relatively uncommon. Limited data suggests that prokinetic therapy may be less efficacious in pediatric gastroparesis than in affected adults. However, long term outcome may be better for children than for adults.