{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,28]],"date-time":"2026-01-28T21:54:38Z","timestamp":1769637278075,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":27,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"2","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1996,9]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in preterm infants, but the role of gastric emptying as a causal factor has not been studied before. Gastric emptying was therefore measured in 19 healthy preterm infants (median gestational age 32 weeks) while concurrently measuring 24 hour lower oesophageal pH, using an antimony pH electrode, positioned manometrically. Real time ultrasonic images of the gastric antrum were obtained, and measurements of antral cross-sectional area (ACSA) were made immediately before a nasogastric feed and then during subsequent gastric emptying until ACSA returned to its pre-feed value. Half emptying time (50% delta ACSA) was calculated as the time taken for the ACSA to fall to half the maximal postprandial increment. Mean (SEM) reflux index for the group was 11.9 (2.0)%; number of reflux episodes per 24 hours: 15.4 (1.7); and number of reflux episodes longer than five minutes 5.5 (0.8). Average half emptying times for an individual infant were: median (range) 46 (18-105) minutes. There was no association between gastric emptying rates and any of the indices of gastro-oesophageal reflux, either during the entire 24 hour period for which the lower oesophageal pH was recorded, or in the postprandial periods after the feeds which were studied ultrasonically. Gastro-oesophageal reflux was also unrelated to feed volume and feed type. Asymptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in preterm infants, but gastric emptying time is not a determinant of it. Inappropriate relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter or abnormal oesophageal motility offer more plausible explanations.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/fn.75.2.f117","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2008,10,31]],"date-time":"2008-10-31T17:55:51Z","timestamp":1225475751000},"page":"F117-F121","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":63,"title":["Gastric emptying and gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants."],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"75","author":[{"given":"A K","family":"Ewer","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"G M","family":"Durbin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"M E","family":"Morgan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"I W","family":"Booth","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1996,9,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"780","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.64.6.780","article-title":"Gastro-esophageal reflux in preterm infants","volume":"64","author":"Newell, S.J.; Booth, I.W.; Morgan, M.E.I.; Durbin, G.M.; McNeish, A.S.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Newell SJ, Booth IW, Morgan MEI, Durbin GM, McNeish AS. Gastro-esophageal reflux in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child 1989;64:780-6.","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"763","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(79)80733-7","article-title":"Gastro-oesophageal reflux causing respiratory distress and apnea in newborn infants","volume":"95","author":"Herbst, J.J.; Minton, S.D.; Book, M.S.","year":"1979","unstructured":"Herbst JJ, Minton SD, Book MS. Gastro-oesophageal reflux causing respiratory distress and apnea in newborn infants. J Pedatr 1979;95:763-68.","journal-title":"J Pedatr"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.29.2.167","article-title":"Maturation of the lower oesophageal sphincter in the preterm baby","volume":"29","author":"Newell, S.J.; SarkarPK, Durbin; GM, Booth; IW, McNeish; A.S.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Newell SJ, SarkarPK, Durbin GM, Booth IW,McNeish AS. Maturation of the lower oesophageal sphincter in the preterm baby. Gut 1988;29:167-72.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1436","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.32.12.1436","article-title":"Relations among autonomic nerve dysfunction, oesophageal motility, and gastric emptying in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease","volume":"32","author":"Cunningham, K.M.; Hororwitz, M.; Ridell, P.S.","year":"1991","unstructured":"Cunningham KM, Hororwitz M, Ridell PS, et al. Relations among autonomic nerve dysfunction, oesophageal motility, and gastric emptying in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Gut 1991;32:1436-40.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"344","DOI":"10.1002\/bjs.1800720505","article-title":"Solid and liquid gastric emptying in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux","volume":"72","author":"Maddern, G.J.; Chatterton, B.E.; Collins, P.J.; Shearman, Horowitz M.; DJC, Jamieson; G.G.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Maddern GJ, Chatterton BE, Collins PJ, Horowitz M Shearman DJC, Jamieson GG. Solid and liquid gastric emptying in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux. Br J Surg 1985;72:344-7.","journal-title":"Br J Surg"},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"58","article-title":"Gastric emptying and gastro-oesophageal reflux. Effects of surgery and correlation with esophageal motor function","volume":"144","author":"Velasco, N.; Hill, L.D.; Gannan, R.M.; Pope, C.E.","year":"1982","unstructured":"Velasco N, Hill LD, Gannan RM, Pope CE. Gastric emptying and gastro-oesophageal reflux. Effects of surgery and correlation with esophageal motor function. Am J Surg 1982;144:58-61.","journal-title":"Am J Surg"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"74","DOI":"10.1016\/0002-9610(89)90422-4","article-title":"Does delayed gastnc emptying contribute to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?","volume":"157","author":"Schwizer, W.; Hinder, R.A.; DeMeester, T.R.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Schwizer W, Hinder RA, DeMeester TR. Does delayed gastnc emptying contribute to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease? AmI Surg 1989;157:74-80.","journal-title":"AmI Surg"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"459","DOI":"10.1016\/0016-5085(87)90142-9","article-title":"Gastric emptying of solid food in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux","volume":"92","author":"Shay, S.S.; Eggli, D.; McDonald, C.; Johnson, L.F.","year":"1987","unstructured":"Shay SS, Eggli D, McDonald C, Johnson LF. Gastric emptying of solid food in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux. Gastroenterology 1987;92:459-65.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(81)80633-6","article-title":"Delayed gastric emptying in infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux","volume":"98","author":"Hillemeier, A.C.; Lange, R.; McCallum, R.; Seashore, J.; Gryboski, J.","year":"1981","unstructured":"Hillemeier AC, Lange R, McCallum R, Seashore J, Gryboski J. Delayed gastric emptying in infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux. J Pediatr 1981;98:190-3.","journal-title":"J Pediatr"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"799","DOI":"10.3109\/00365529209011187","article-title":"Gastric emptying in infants with gassr-oesophageal reflux. Ultrasound evaluation before and after cisapride administration","volume":"27","author":"Carroccio, A.; Iacono, G.; LiVoti, G.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Carroccio A, Iacono G, LiVoti G, et al. Gastric emptying in infants with gassr-oesophageal reflux. Ultrasound evaluation before and after cisapride administration. Scand Jf Gastroenerol 1992;27:799-804.","journal-title":"Scand Jf Gastroenerol"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"933","DOI":"10.1001\/archsurg.1989.01410080065010","article-title":"Increased incidence of delayed gastric empying in children with gastr-oesophageal reflux","volume":"124","author":"Papaila, J.G.; Wilmot, D.; Grosfeld, J.L.; Rescona, F.J.; West, K.W.; Vane, D.W.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Papaila JG, Wilmot D, Grosfeld JL, Rescona FJ, West KW, Vane DW.Increased incidence of delayed gastric empying in children with gastr-oesophageal reflux. Arch Surg 1989;124:933-6.","journal-title":"Arch Surg"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"393","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01536020","article-title":"Gastric emptying in infants with gastr-oesophageal reflux. Measurements with a Technitium-99m-labelled semisolid meal","volume":"33","author":"Andres, J.M.; Mathias, JR, Clench; MH, Davis; R.H.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Andres JM, Mathias JR, Clench MH, Davis RH. Gastric emptying in infants with gastr-oesophageal reflux. Measurements with a Technitium-99m-labelled semisolid meal. Dig Dis Sci 1988;33:393-9.","journal-title":"Dig Dis Sci"},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"449","article-title":"Gastric emptying with gastro-oesophageal reflux","volume":"62","author":"C, Di Lorenzo; A, Piepsz; H, Ham; S, Cadranel","year":"1987","unstructured":"Di Lorenzo C, Piepsz A, Ham H, Cadranel S. Gastric emptying with gastro-oesophageal reflux. Arch DisChild 1987; 62:449-53.","journal-title":"Arch DisChild"},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"254","article-title":"Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastnc emptymg ofliquids in paediatric patients","volume":"11","author":"Guillet, J.; Wynchank, S.; Christophe, E.; Basse-Cathainat, B.; Ducassou, D.; Blanquet, P.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Guillet J, Wynchank S, Christophe E, Basse-Cathainat B, Ducassou D, Blanquet P. Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastnc emptymg ofliquids in paediatric patients. IntjNud Med Biol 1984;11:254-8.","journal-title":"IntjNud Med Biol"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"923","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3468(87)80590-0","article-title":"An estimate of effective gastric emptying","volume":"22","year":"1987","unstructured":"An estimate of effective gastric emptying. J Paediatr Surg 1987; 22:923-6.","journal-title":"J Paediatr Surg"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.69.1_Spec_No.32","article-title":"Ultrasonic assessment of gastric emptying in the preterm infant","volume":"69","author":"Newell, S.J.; Chapman, S.; Booth, I.W.","year":"1993","unstructured":"Newell SJ, Chapman S, Booth IW. Ultrasonic assessment of gastric emptying in the preterm infant. Arch Dis Child 1993;69:F32-6.","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1136\/fn.71.1.F24","article-title":"Gastric emptying in preterm infants","volume":"71","author":"Ewer, A.K.; Durbin, G.M.; Morgan, M.E.I.; Booth, I.W.","year":"1994","unstructured":"Ewer AK, Durbin GM, Morgan MEI, Booth IW. Gastric emptying in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child 1994;71:F24- F7.","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"581","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(85)80028-7","article-title":"Effect of neonatal caloric deprivation on head growth and I-year developmental status in preterm infants","volume":"107","author":"Georgieff, M.K.; Hoffman, J.S.; Pereira, G.R.; Bernbaum, J.; Hoffman-Williamson, M.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Georgieff MK, Hoffman JS, Pereira GR, Bernbaum J, Hoffman-Williamson M. Effect of neonatal caloric deprivation on head growth and I-year developmental status in preterm infants.JPediatr 1985;107:581-7.","journal-title":"JPediatr"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1097\/00005176-199201000-00009","article-title":"Influence of breast versus formula milk on physiological gastrooesophageal reflux in healthy, newborn infants","volume":"14","author":"Heacock, H.J.; Jeffery, H.E.; Baker, J.L.; Page, M.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Heacock HJ, Jeffery HE, Baker JL, Page M. Influence of breast versus formula milk on physiological gastrooesophageal reflux in healthy, newborn infants. Paediar Gastroenuerol Nutr 1992;14:41-6.","journal-title":"Paediar Gastroenuerol Nutr"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"297","DOI":"10.1097\/00005176-199210000-00011","article-title":"Gastric emptying using three different formulas in infants with gast-oesophageal reflux","volume":"15","author":"Tolia, V.; Lin, C.-H.; Kuhns, L.R.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Tolia V, Lin C-H, Kuhns LR, Gastric emptying using three different formulas in infants with gast-oesophageal reflux. Pediatr Gastrenterol Nutr 1992;15:297-301.","journal-title":"Pediatr Gastrenterol Nutr"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1352","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.64.10_Spec_No.1352","article-title":"Does mechanical ventilation precipitate gastrooesophageal reflux during enteral feeding?","volume":"64","author":"Newell, S.J.; Morgan, M.E.I.; Durbin, G.M.; Booth, I.W.; McNeish, A.S.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Newell SJ, Morgan MEI, Durbin GM, Booth IW, McNeish AS. Does mechanical ventilation precipitate gastrooesophageal reflux during enteral feeding? Arch Dis Child 1989;64: 1352-5.","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"352","article-title":"Continuous gastric pH measurement in young and older preterm infants receiving formula and clear liquid feedings. IJPdiatr Gastroenterol Nutr","volume":"4","author":"Sondheimer, J.M.; Clark, D.A.; Gervaise, E.P.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Sondheimer JM, Clark DA, Gervaise EP. Continuous gastric pH measurement in young and older preterm infants receiving formula and clear liquid feedings. IJPdiatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1985;4:352-5."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1547","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM198212163072503","article-title":"et aL Mechanisms of gastrooesophageal reflux in patients with reflux oesophagitis","volume":"307","author":"Dodds, W.J.; Dent, J.; Hogan, W.J.","year":"1982","unstructured":"Dodds WJ, Dent J, Hogan WJ, et aL Mechanisms of gastrooesophageal reflux in patients with reflux oesophagitis. N EnglJMed 1982;307:1547-52.","journal-title":"N EnglJMed"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1333","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.63.11.1333","article-title":"Motor disorders of the oesophagus in gastro-oesophageal reflux","volume":"63","author":"Mahoney, M.J.; Migliavacca, M.; Spitz, L.; Milla, P.J.","year":"1988","unstructured":"Mahoney MJ, Migliavacca M, Spitz L, Milla PJ. Motor disorders of the oesophagus in gastro-oesophageal reflux. Arch Dis Child 1988;63:1333-8.","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"617","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.66.5.617","article-title":"Mechanisms of gastrooesophageal reflux in cystic fibrosis","volume":"66","author":"Cucchiara, S.; Santamaria, F.; Andreotti, M.R.; Minella, R.; Ercolini, P.; Oggero, V.","year":"1991","unstructured":"Cucchiara S, Santamaria F, Andreotti MR, Minella R, Ercolini P, Oggero V, et al. Mechanisms of gastrooesophageal reflux in cystic fibrosis. Arch Dis Child 1991;66:617-22.","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"638","article-title":"Minella R Disorders of oesophageal motility in children with psychomotor retardation and gastro-oesophageal reflux","volume":"150","author":"Stainio, A.; Cucchiara, S.; Del Giudice, E.; Andreotti, M.R.","year":"1991","unstructured":"Stainio A, Cucchiara S, Del Giudice E, Andreotti MR, Minella R Disorders of oesophageal motility in children with psychomotor retardation and gastro-oesophageal reflux. EurIPediatr 1991;150:638-41.","journal-title":"EurIPediatr"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1757","DOI":"10.1016\/0016-5085(95)90741-6","article-title":"Esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter function in healthy preterm infants","volume":"109","author":"Omari, T.I.; Kazunori, M.; Fraser, R.","year":"1995","unstructured":"Omari TI, Kazunori M, Fraser R, et al. Esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter function in healthy preterm infants. Gastroenterology 1995;109:1757-640.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"}],"container-title":["Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/fn.75.2.F117","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,5]],"date-time":"2025-09-05T20:59:48Z","timestamp":1757105988000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/fn.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/fn.75.2.F117"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[1996,9]]},"references-count":27,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1996,9,1]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1996,9]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/fn.75.2.F117"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/fn.75.2.f117","relation":{},"ISSN":["1359-2998","1468-2052"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1359-2998","type":"print"},{"value":"1468-2052","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[1996,9]]}}}