Studies in Gastric Analysis in Children.

Abstract

As a preliminary to a study of gastric function in pathological conditions in children, this investigation was undertaken to establish normal figures in a control group. Studies were made on a total of 50 children, ages ranging from 3/12 to 8 6/12 years, in the terminal stages of convalescence prior to discharge from the hospital. None had been ill from any condition associated with the gastro-intestinal tract. The diets were unrestricted. The display of apparently normal appetites excluded anorexia. Gastric contents were aspirated through a small rubber tube introduced orally 1 hour after ingestion of 40 gm. of white bread and 200 cc. of water. In a few instances this meal was modified. Fifteen cases received 6 mg. of phenol red added to a meal. The acidity of gastric contents was determined by Topfer's method. The volume of the gastric contents varied from a minimum of 10 ml. to a maximum of 356 ml. For adults a range 50 to 120 ml. is accepted as average normal. Volumes in 23 cases fell within this zone, 20 were above, and 2 below. When volume was plotted against age of the children, there was no apparent relation of volume of gastric contents to age.

In vitro the addition of 40 gm. of bread without crusts to 200 ml. of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid increased the volume of the fluid to 230 ml., i. e., the increase in volume amounted to approximately 75% of the weight of the added bread. When incubated at 37°C for 72 hours, the volume of the mixture remained 230 ml.

The chymified sediments in the gastric extractions were permitted to settle to minimum volume at room temperature and the volumes of sediment were noted.