Table 2 Summary of GE studies included in this systematic review

Van den Driessche et al. [20] 1999

NRCT (n = 29)

13C-OABT

Test feed 1: Breast milk

Test feed 1: t1/2 47 min

Preterm infants (27–41 weeks)

Test feed 2: 40 % casein, 60 % whey (Nutrilon Premium, Nutricia)

Test feed 2: 65 min (p < 0.05)

Savage et al. [22] 2012

RCT cross-over (n = 13) on children with CP

13C-OABT

Test feed 1: 82 % casein-based 82, 18 % whey (Paediasure, Abbott)

Test feed 2 and 3: t1/2 33.9 min

Test feed 2: 50 % casein, 50 % whey [Nutren Junior, Nestle Clinical Nutrition]

Test feed 1: 56.6 min (p = .033)

Age: 2.4–15.4 years

Test feed 3: 100 % pHF^a whey [Peptament Junior, Nestle Clinical Nutrition]

Brun et al. [7] 2012

RCT cross-over (n = 15) children with CP

13C-OABT

Test feed 1: 100 % casein

Test feed 1: t1/2 153 min, Test feed 2: t1/2 82

Test feed 2: 100 % hydrolysed whey

Test feed 3: 100 % amino acids

Test feed 3: 74.4 min

Age: 6–16 years

Test feed 4: 40 % casein, 60 % whey

Test feed 4: 63.3 min Fastest GE was for test feed 4 (p < 0.001)

Test feeds contained standard carbohydrate and fat

Brun et al. [30] 2013

RCT (n = 10) children with CP with a Nissen fundoplication versus (n = 10) children with CP but without Nissen fundoplica-tion

13C-OABT

Test feed 1: 100 % casein

t1/2 test feed 1:

Test feed 2: 40 % casein, 60 % whey

- 110 min for Nissan fundoplication group

- 181 min for non Nissan fundoplication group

t1/2 test feed 2:

- 50 min for Nissan fundoplication group

- 85 min for non Nissan fundoplication group

In both groups feed 2 emptied faster

Staelens et al. [24] 2008

RCT cross-over (n = 20) healthy infants

13C-OABT

Test feed 1: 29 % casein, 71 % whey (NAN 1, Nestle)

Test feed 3: t1/2 46 min Test feed 1: t1/2 55 min

Test feed 2: 100 % pHF^a whey (NAN HA, Nestle)

(p =0.036)

Age: 6–13 weeks

No difference between t1/2 between test feed 1 and feed 2

Test feed 3: 100 % eHF^b whey formula (experimental Nestle formula)

Thorkelsson et al. [23] 1994

RCT (n = 20) preterm infants Age: 33–34 weeks

Tc-99 scintigraphy

Test feed 1: 40 % casein, 60 % whey (Similac Special Care, Ross Laboratories)

Test feed 1: t1/2 64.9 ± 12.3 min

Test feed 2: t1/2 56.5 ± 14.8 min

Test feed 2: 82 % casein,18 % whey (experimental formula, Ross Laboratories)

No significant difference in GE between formulas. (p = 0.75)

Tolia et al. [25] 1992

RCT cross-over (n = 28) infants with reflux Age: infants < 1 year of age

Tc-99 scintigraphy

Test feed 1: 82 % casein:18 % whey (Similac, Ross Laboratories)

Test feed 1: t1/2 39.7 ± 2.02 min

Test feed 2: whole soya formula (Isomil, Ross Laboratories)

Test feed 2: t 1/2 44.6 ± 2.01 min

Test feed 3: 100 % whey hydrolysate (Goodstart, Carnation Company)

Test feed 3: t1/2 48.5 ± 2.89 min.

GE of feed 3 was significantly (p < 0.05) slower 48.5 % versus 39.7 %

Billeaud et al. [11] 1990

NRCT (n = 111) infants with GOR and (n = 90) healthy controls

Tc99 scintigraphy

Test feed 1: breast milk

At 30 min no difference in GE between formulas.

Test feed 2: 100 % hydrolysed whey (Nidal HA, Nestle)

Gastric residual content at 120 min was 18 +/− 11 % with breast milk, 16 +/− 21 % feed 2, 25 +/− 17 % feed 3, 26 +/− 19 % feed 4, 39 +/− 17 % feed 5, 47 +/− 19 % feed 5, 55 +/− 19 % feed 7

Test feed 3: acidified whole protein (Pelargon, Nestle)

Age: <1 year of age (range not specified)

Test feed 4: 40 % casein, 60 % whey (Lactamil, Jaquemaire)

Test feed 5: 80 % casein, 20 % whey (Alma, Jaquemaire)

Test feed 6: 80 % casein, 20 % whey Follow-up formula (Nido, Nestle)

Test formula 7: whole cow’s milk (80 % casein)