Mega Doctor News
EL PASO, Texas — Imagine an 8-year-old girl regularly waking up each morning with stomach pain. She dreads eating breakfast, as it has become an uncomfortable ordeal.
At school, she struggles to focus as nausea churns in her belly, and she feels isolated while her friends enjoy lunch. Too embarrassed to explain her condition, she pushes her food away, unsure if she’s “sick” or just different. On days she misses school, her parents watch helplessly, seeking answers from doctors who offer little relief.
For this 8-year-old, a little-understood disease known as gastroparesis is stealing her joy, leaving her exhausted and anxious.
But there’s hope and a chance for her to reclaim the carefree childhood she deserves.
Her neighbor, Texas Tech Health El Paso, has received a highly competitive $445,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health, part of which will fund research on gastroparesis in children. Richard McCallum, M.D., and Irene Sarosiek, M.D., will serve as principal investigators. The clinical principal investigator is Denease Francis, M.D.
This is the fifth research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has brought the university $4.6 million in new funding for gastroparesis research in adults since 2011.
This marks a significant expansion, with the university joining a distinguished group of institutions contributing to gastroparesis research. Collaborators include Harvard Medical School’s Massachusetts General Hospital, the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Louisville, Temple University, Baylor University, and Wake Forest University.
The need for early diagnosis and intervention
An under-recognized condition, gastroparesis is a chronic digestive disorder that can cause debilitating symptoms like nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
The disease slows or stops food from moving from the stomach to the intestines. Though well-studied in adults, the condition is more mysterious in children. Ninety percent of pediatric cases are classified as idiopathic, meaning they lack a known cause.
“In adults, gastroparesis is often linked to diabetes or nerve damage from surgery, but in children, we usually can’t identify a cause,” explained Dr. McCallum, a professor of medicine with the Foster School of Medicine’s Division of Gastroenterology. “Symptoms often overlap with other conditions, making it even harder for parents and pediatricians to identify.”
This complexity often leads to delayed diagnoses. A child complains of stomach pain, nausea or heartburn that the parent mistakes for minor ailments or stress-related issues. Many children endure discomfort for years, often without a clear diagnosis.
Texas Tech Health El Paso’s pediatric gastroparesis study could change this, enabling families to access specialized care close to home.
“Gastroparesis in children is more prevalent than we realize because it often goes undiagnosed,” explained Dr. Francis, an assistant professor with the Foster School of Medicine and pediatrician with Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso. “Families may not know they can turn to us for help, but we’re here to provide answers and treatment options.”
The brain-gut connection
Gastroparesis in children is complicated by an often-overlooked factor: the role of psychological stress. Symptoms of gastroparesis can be intensified by stress, which can worsen nausea and abdominal pain and even interfere with a child’s response to medications. The Texas Tech Health El Paso team is particularly interested in understanding this “brain-gut” connection and how stress or anxiety may influence the severity of gastroparesis symptoms in young patients.
“There’s a big brain and a little brain,” Dr. Sarosiek explained. “The little brain is our stomach, which plays a major role in emotional and physical responses. For some children, stress can make their symptoms worse. In these cases, identifying whether symptoms are stress-induced or from true gastroparesis is crucial.”
By exploring this interaction, the study hopes to identify cases where psychological support or stress management techniques could reduce symptoms, offering another avenue for relief for children affected by gastroparesis.
How the study helps families and children in El Paso
The study aims to recruit at least nine pediatric participants each year and follow them over time, tracking the progression of their symptoms using advanced diagnostic tools.
The study covers the cost of certain procedures for participants through the NIH grant. Families may also qualify for payments to support their participation, alleviating some of the financial burden of this chronic health issue.
“For families who have been searching for answers, this study means they will receive essential treatments or diagnostic tests,” said Dr. Francis. “It’s an opportunity to access care they might not otherwise receive.”
The expansion of gastroparesis research represents a significant step forward for families in El Paso, where access to specialized health care was once limited.
“El Paso is a medically underserved area,” said Dr. Francis. “Anything that helps spread the word that hope exists for families is a win. We want parents to know that help is available here at Texas Tech Health El Paso. By participating in this study, they are contributing to a growing understanding of pediatric gastroparesis, potentially helping future patients as well.”
Dr. Francis and her team are dedicated to improving the lives of children affected by gastroparesis and encourage families to reach out if they suspect their child may have symptoms.
“We’re eager to raise awareness in our community and make a difference in the lives of children who have suffered silently from this challenging disorder,” said Dr. Francis.
If your child experiences symptoms consistent with gastroparesis, the pediatrics team urges you to seek medical guidance. A preliminary evaluation with a primary care physician or pediatrician can help determine if a referral to a gastrointestinal pediatric specialist is needed.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research.
With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.
Information Source: Texas Tech Health El Paso
