Nutrient drink test: Normative values in Indian children.

BACKGROUND

Nutrient drink test (NDT) is a simple, non-invasive method to assess gastric function including accommodation. However, data on normal satiety drink volume (SDV) in children is scanty with no information about postprandial symptoms (PPS). Our aims were to establish normal values of NDT in healthy children and evaluate its correlation with age, gender, and anthropometry.

METHODS

Six- to 18-year-old healthy children underwent the NDT. The nutrient drink (0.94 kcal/mL) was given at a constant rate of 15 mL/min in 6-12-year-old subjects and at 30 mL/min in 13-18-year-old subjects till satiety score of 5 was reached. Postprandial symptoms (30 min) of fullness, nausea, bloating, and pain were scored using a visual analogue scale (0-100 mm) individually and as aggregate score.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven children (40 boys, age 12 [6-18 years]) were enrolled. Median SDV was 360 [180-960 mL], higher in 13-18-year-olds in comparison to 6-12-year-old children (360 [240-1002] vs. 300 [148-960] mL; p=0.005). SDV showed significant correlation with age, weight, and height. SDV was higher in boys than girls (450 [240-1074] vs. 330 [240-480] mL; p=0.02) in the older children (13-18 y), but it was similar in the younger children. Mild fullness (40 [0-80]) was the only PPS seen in 85% children and none had pain. PPS were not different between boys and girls or younger and older children.

CONCLUSION

The study provides normative data of SDV and PPS by NDT in 6-18-year-old children. SDV correlated with age and was higher in adolescent boys than girls.