Dumping syndrome in a young Jamaican child

ABSTRACT

The dumping syndrome in childhood is an uncommon complication of gastro-oesophageal surgery, principally Nissen fundoplication. A Jamaican child developed the syndrome after fundoplication and pyloroplasty to relieve gastro-oesophageal reflux complicating the repair of a congenital tracheo-oesophageal fistula. He developed marasmus and failed to gain weight on the standard remedial milk-based high-energy diet. An oral glucose tolerance test confirmed the diagnosis of dumping syndrome. A low sugar low milk diet based on adult type meals with continuous nibbling of fried dumplings relieved his diarrhoea and hypoglycaemia and he gained weight. This is a cheaper and more practical dietary therapy than the regimens described previously.