Correlação do gênero, idade, índice de massa e superfície corporais e o tempo ultra-sonográfico de esvaziamento gástrico de uma f´romula láctea em crianças e adolescentes

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the correlation between gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and body surface and the time of gastric emptying (GE) of children and adolescents using a milk formula which composition and concentration of nutrients are constant. Sixty children without diseases were studied, 29 being girls. The age varied between 1.6 and 15.9 years with an average of 7.3. We used the Bolondi technique reevaluated by the Cuchiara technique to evaluate the percentage of gastric emptying. The antral transverse section was considered as representative of the food volume in the stomach. The measures were taken in an upright position: first in the fasting period, and immediately after the ingestion of the milk formula which volume was of 200ml/ m² of body surface (maximum area). After, in the following 30, 60 and 90 minutes. We found normal distribution of the GE percentage at 30 and 60, but not at 90 minutes. The same occurred when each gender was considered. There was significant correlation between age and the percentages of GE at 30 (r=0,337; p=0,008), 60 (r=0,359; p=0,005) and 90 (r=0,290; p=0,025) minutes. There was correlation between body surface and GE at 30 (r=0,396; p=0,002), 60 (r=0,403; p=0,001) and 90 (r=0,282; p=0,029) minutes. There was also significant correlation between BMI and GE at 30 (r=0,290; p=0,025), 60 (r=0,318; p=0,013) and 90 (r=0,247; p=0,057) minutes. The multivariate analysis of the percentage of GE at 30 and 60 minutes showed determination coefficient of 14,3% and 14,8%, respectively. The information of the variables was best synthecized by the body surface. At 90 minutes, age was the best representative for the determination of the coefficient of the model, 6,8%. We concluded that body surface and age have little explanatory power over the milk formula GE in childhood and adolescence.