Assessment of whole gut motility in adolescents using the wireless motility capsule test

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are often associated with intestinal dysmotility representing a diagnostic challenge. A relatively new method is the wireless motility capsule (WMC) test, which continuously measures pH, pressure, temperature and regional transit times as it passes through the GI tract. In adults, the WMC test was approved for use in the diagnosis of gastroparesis and constipation by assessing GI transit and contractility. We performed the WMC test in nine adolescent patients aged 12–17 years with functional GI symptoms from July 2017 until February 2019. Abnormal transit times were detected in four patients. Three patients showed abnormal transit times of the upper GI tract: in two cases, contractility analysis revealed prolonged gastric retention, and in one patient, abnormal colonic transit was detected. Conclusion: The WMC test is a minimally invasive procedure with potential to expand future diagnostic opportunities for paediatric patients with functional GI disorders and suspected motility disturbances. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00431-021-04295-6.