Gabapentin improves oral feeding in neurologically intact infants with abdominal disorders

Document Type

Case Report

Department

Paediatric Surgery

Abstract

Feeding intolerance, poor oral feeding skills, and retching are common symptoms seen in medically complex infants with a history of abdominal disorders and surgical interventions, such as gastrostomy tube placement and Nissen fundoplication. Visceral hyperalgesia may play a role in the underlying pathophysiology. We report the use of orally administered gabapentin in 3 infants with presumed visceral hyperalgesia presenting as poor tolerance of enteral and oral feeds. Retching and outward discomfort associated with feeds was resolved within 2 to 3 days of initiation of therapy. Full oral feeds were obtained in all 3 patients within 3 to 4 months of starting gabapentin without changing adjunctive medications or therapies. After attainment of full oral feeds, all patients were successfully weaned off gabapentin over a month, with no notable side effects, signs of withdrawal, or impact on ability to feed by mouth.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics

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