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  • Title: Measuring gastric emptying of semisolids in children using the 13C-acetate breath test: a validation study.
    Author: Braden B, Peterknecht A, Piepho T, Schneider A, Caspary WF, Hamscho N, Ahrens P.
    Journal: Dig Liver Dis; 2004 Apr; 36(4):260-4. PubMed ID: 15115338.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Radioscintigraphy is the gold standard for evaluation of gastric emptying in children, but requires exposure to ionising radiation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to validate the non-radioactive 13C-acetate breath test in children in comparison to radioscintigraphy as reference method. PATIENTS: Twenty-nine children with dyspeptic or respiratory symptoms were tested for gastric emptying disorders simultaneously performing the 13C-acetate breath test and radioscintigraphy. METHODS: A semisolid oatmeal was doubly labelled with 150 mg 13C-acetate and 50 MBq 99mTechnetium. Breath samples were collected every 5-10 min for 4 h. After mass spectrometrical 13C-analysis, curve fitting of the 13C-cumulative recovery to the modified power exponential function Y = m(1 - e(-kt) calculated the half emptying times of the breath test (t 1/2 (breath)). Scintigraphic image acquisition began immediately after the ingestion of the 99mTechnetium-labelled testmeal at a rate of one frame every 60 s for 1 h. RESULTS: Six children showed delayed gastric emptying in scintigraphy (t 1/2(scinti) > 60 min). All these children had prolonged half emptying times t 1/2 (breath) in the 13C-acetate breath test. Using a cut-off t 1/2(breath) > 90 min, the 13C-acetate breath test had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85%. Scintigraphic and breath test half emptying times were linearly correlated (Y = 0.80x + 47.68, r = 0.76, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The 13C-acetate breath test proves to be a reliable, non-radioactive alternative for measuring gastric emptying in children.
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