Ghrelin and Gastric Emptying in Children With Functional Dyspepsia

Study Summary

The purpose of this research is to see if there are differences between children who have FD and children without FD in the ability of the stomach to empty food and/or in ghrelin hormone levels before and after eating. Chronic abdominal pain is the most common persistent pain condition in children and adolescents. One of the most often diagnosed types of abdominal pain is functional dyspepsia (FD). FD is abdominal pain or discomfort (e.g., nausea, bloating) in the upper abdomen that does not get better by having a bowel movement. One possible explanation for having FD is a delay in the emptying of food from the stomach, or delayed gastric (stomach) emptying. Failing to empty the stomach quickly enough may result in the feeling of being full and cause symptoms of bloating, nausea, vomiting and pain. Further, hormonal changes occur before, during, or after eating food that appear to impact stomach emptying. One of the hormones that changes with meals is called ghrelin. The relationship between ghrelin and stomach emptying needs to be explored more in children with FD. Better understanding of what causes FD symptoms may help us to improve treatment for this condition.