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How Is Gastric Emptying In Formula-fed And Breast-fed Infants Determined?

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Posted on Wed, 22 Jul 2015
Question: how do you explain gastric half-emptying time...
they say its 48 minutes for an infant when they have breastmilk and 78 minutes if they have formula...does that mean they've digested half the breastmilk after 48 minutes meaning they will be hungry sooner then if they had formula which is 78 minutes?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on gastric emptying time

Detailed Answer:
Hi...what gastric emptying times means is that - by a specific mentioned time almost half of the volume of the food in the stomach would have passed on down and it would be out of the stomach. It means that stomach is half empty - but it doesn't mean that the infant will be hungry again.

This is related to the peristaltic movements in the gastrointestinal system and the movement so the stomach will make the contents in the stomach to move down accordingly. But this is not related to hunger.

But until the time some food or milk remains in the stomach the infant may not feel hungry. Once it is completely empty the infant will feel hunger. So in principle I agree with you that - if a food which stays for longer time in the stomach is given - the infant in unlikely to feel hunger soon.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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How Is Gastric Emptying In Formula-fed And Breast-fed Infants Determined?

Brief Answer: Suggestions on gastric emptying time Detailed Answer: Hi...what gastric emptying times means is that - by a specific mentioned time almost half of the volume of the food in the stomach would have passed on down and it would be out of the stomach. It means that stomach is half empty - but it doesn't mean that the infant will be hungry again. This is related to the peristaltic movements in the gastrointestinal system and the movement so the stomach will make the contents in the stomach to move down accordingly. But this is not related to hunger. But until the time some food or milk remains in the stomach the infant may not feel hungry. Once it is completely empty the infant will feel hunger. So in principle I agree with you that - if a food which stays for longer time in the stomach is given - the infant in unlikely to feel hunger soon. Regards - Dr. Sumanth