The condition often leaves children feeling constantly bloated and nauseated and can result in malnourishment and significant weight loss.

'The pacemaker is surgically implanted under the skin and is connected to two electrodes placed on the stomach wall. It tells the stomach to empty at a certain frequency,' explained paediatric surgeon Steven Teich, professor at Ohio State University (OSU).

'The initial settings are fairly low and, as with a pacemaker in the heart, we can change the settings as needed. It empties the stomach, alleviating bloating, vomiting and nausea,' said Teich.

'In patients who have received this type of treatment, nearly all symptoms were resolved within two weeks,' said Hayat Mousa, associate professor of clinical paediatrics at the OSU College of Medicine.