Introduction:

Gastroparesis is a gastric motility disorder with difficulty emptying the stomach. Pediatric causes include: idiopathic, post infectious, dysautonomia, connective tissue disorders, post fundoplication; viral etiologies include Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, Norwalk virus; and recently, coronavirus; comorbidities include prematurity, developmental delay, diabetes mellitus, and anticonvulsants.

Objective:

To evaluate epidemiological characteristics in children diagnosed with viral gastroparesis (GP).

Method:

A case-control, observational clinical study (January 2019-April 2025) was conducted in patients under 18 years of age with and without a diagnosis of post-viral gastroparesis (PVG), treated in the Gastroenterology Department of Dr. JM de los Ríos Children's Hospital.

Results:

Age, Group 1 (cases), 58.6% (n= 17) from 1 to 5 years and 41.4% (n= 12) from 6 to 12 years. Group 2 (controls), from 1 to 5 years, 48.8% (n= 20), from 6 to 12 years, 51.2% (n= 21). Sex, 65.5% (n= 19) Group 1 female; Group 2, 58.5% (n= 24) male. Comorbidity Group 1, diabetes mellitus (DM), 24.1% (n= 7). Group 2, DM 26.7% (n= 4). Symptoms (abdominal pain: Group 1 100%; n= 29; Group 2 34.1%; n= 14 and vomiting: Group 1 100%; n= 29; Group 2 17.1%; n= 7). Viral tests Group 1, SARS-CoV-2 predominated, 41.4% (n= 12), followed by adenovirus, 17.2% (n= 5). In Group 2, SARS-CoV-2, 24.4% (n= 10), followed by NS1, 17.1% (n= 7).

Conclusion:

Children with GPV present an association with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which denotes the importance of studying its etiopathogenic role.