From the bench to the 'crib'-side: implications of scientific advances to paediatric neurogastroenterology and motility

Abstract

Paediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders may present in the neonatal period as the result of a congenital insult that occurred during embryonic development or as a manifestation of an abnormal genetic background. Functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders may also be acquired and present during childhood as the first presentation of a condition that can persist or re-occur throughout adolescence and adulthood. These disorders can have a significant psychological and financial impact on the lives of the affected children and their families. Recently, enteric neuroscience research has advanced the understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of uncommon congenital or developmental gastrointestinal motility disorders such as Hirschsprung disease and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. In addition, research has contributed to improvements in the understanding of more prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders in children, such as chronic constipation and functional abdominal pain syndromes. The purpose of this review is to highlight these advances with particular regard to the clinical impact they have in the understanding and management of disorders in the field of paediatric neurogastroenterology and motility.