Gastroparesis

What is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach does not empty food and liquids quickly enough. This causes food and liquid to stay in the stomach for a long time, causing symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and vomiting. There is no cure for gastroparesis, but it can be managed with treatment. In some cases, the symptoms improve over time.

What are the signs and symptoms of gastroparesis?

The most common symptoms of gastroparesis include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Feeling full after small amounts of food
• Stomach pain

What causes gastroparesis?

Experts are not sure what causes gastroparesis. In some cases, it starts after an infection or gastrointestinal surgery. Certain medications and chemotherapy drugs may also put children at higher risk for this condition. In some cases, it can be caused by an underlying condition such as metabolic disorders, diabetes, or hypothyroidism.

How is gastroparesis treated?

Your child's treatment will depend on your child's symptoms, age, and overall health. Your care team at Arkansas Children's is experienced in treating gastroparesis and will work with you to develop the best treatment plan for your child's specific symptoms. Some options may include:

• Diet: Your child may need to eat a special diet to help ease symptoms. This may include eating highly digestible foods, avoiding foods high in fat and fiber, adding more liquids to their diet, and eating small meals more often throughout the day.
• Medicines: Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicines to control nausea, improve stomach emptying, and control pain.
• Feeding tube: Children who cannot keep any food down may need to have a feeding tube placed to make sure they get proper nutrition.