Gastroparesis, a condition characterized by delayed stomach emptying, results from slowed function of the muscles that normally propel food through the stomach and intestines. Although more common in adults, gastroparesis sometimes affects babies as well. Signs include loss of appetite and a distended abdomen; if your baby has symptoms, consult a pediatrician promptly. Prunes, properly prepared and served, can have a place in a pediatric gastroparesis diet. Don't offer to them to your baby, however, without first discussing it with her doctor.
Gastroparesis Features
Although gastroparesis in adults is often associated with diabetes, gastroparesis in babies is more often seen in premature infants with immature gastrointestinal tracts, as noted in a November 2004 article in the journal, "Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy." Many babies outgrow gastroparesis as their digestive tracts mature. Gastroparesis in babies can also follow an acute rotavirus infection. Other possible causes include milk allergies, stomach surgery, medications and endocrine problems. At the time of publication, Nationwide Children's Hospital reports that as many as 60 percent of gastroparesis cases in children are of unknown origin. In addition to poor appetite and a swollen abdomen, symptoms include nausea, reflux, premature fullness and weight loss. Doctors often treat gastroparesis with prokinetic medications intended to speed up the digestive tract; examples include erythromycin and metoclopromide. In severe cases, infants with gastroparesis may require intravenous tube feedings.
Dietary Recommendations
According to Infant Reflux Disease.com, breast milk -- which moves through the digestive tract twice as fast as formula -- is an ideal food for a baby with gastroparesis. Your doctor may recommend that you give your baby smaller, more frequent feedings to facilitate peristalsis, the rhythmic contractions of the digestive system. If your baby drinks formula, try switching to a hypoallergenic formulation; this exits the stomach faster. High-calorie fluids marketed for babies can provide supplementary nutrients and help avoid weight loss. If your baby is eating some solid food, Dr. Ken Koch, Director of Gastrointestinal Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, says to avoid high-fat foods, as well as citrus drinks and highly sweetened beverages.
Prunes and Pediatric Gastroparesis
Prunes, rich in antioxidant vitamins A and C, bone-building calcium and potassium -- an electrolyte which can help restore fluid balance -- are an ideal starter food for babies, and can help alleviate the constipation that may occur with gastroparesis. Because fiber-rich foods remain in the stomach longer, prunes should be steamed and pureed before being offered to a baby with gastroparesis. The BabyCenter website states that it's safe to begin introducing pureed or strained prunes when your baby is between 4 and 6 months old. Start with 1 teaspoon, diluted with 4 to 5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula. Alternatively, BabyCenter notes that you can dilute prune juice with equal parts water and give it in a bottle. According to the Ask Dr. Sears website, 1 or 2 tablespoons of diluted prune juice is an appropriate serving for a 6-month-old baby. If your baby has never previously had prunes, wait three days before offering them again.
Considerations and Precautions
In a dangerous gastroparesis complication, undigested food can harden into a mass called a bezoar, which can be life-threatening if it prevents food from exiting the stomach and entering the small intestine. If your baby has a fever of over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, severe abdominal pain, black stools, blood in his stools or vomit, green or black vomit, or is confused or hard to awaken, seek emergency medical care. GI for Kids warns that persistent vomiting from gastroparesis can cause dehydration. You should also seek emergency medical care if your child has a dry, sticky mouth, an absence of tears, dark urine or no urine in more than eight hours. Other danger signs are unusual fussiness, drowsiness, or thirst, sunken-appearing eyes or a sunken soft spot on the top of the head.
References
- GI for KIds: Pediatric Gastroenterology: Gastroparesis
- MayoClinic.com: Gastroparesis
- Nationwide Children's Hospital: Gastroparesis
- Expert Opinion On Pharmacotherapy: Current Pharmacological Treatment of Gastroparesis
- Feeding Underweight Children: Delayed Gastric Emptying
- Infant Reflux Disease: Gastroparesis
- BabyCenter.com: Your Five-Month-Old: Three Questions About Constipation
