Nationwide Children’s Specialists Find Innovative Applications for Existing Technologies

Doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are turning to a proven technology for treating heart problems in adults, the pacemaker, to treat a 16-year old patient with gastroparesis. 

Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach does not contract as often or as powerfully as it should causing food and liquids to remain in the stomach for a long time.  It leaves children feeling bloated and nauseated and can contribute to malnutrition. 

The pacemaker is surgically implanted into the abdomen with electrical wires leading to the stomach.  It sends electrical impulses to stimulate the stomach after eating. 

Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Nationwide Children’s is considered one of the leading programs in the nation in the field of diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal motility problems in children. 

Although pacemakers have been used in adults with delayed gastric emptying, Nationwide Children’s received IRB approval to implant the device in children as a humanitarian device exception.  This is a new procedure in children and adolescents and doctors at Nationwide Children’s say early results are promising and more effective than previous treatment options including medications.

For more information, see the release from Nationwide Children’s.