Author: Sunny Hussain, MD and Carlo DiLorenzo, MD
Source: Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, (2002), Feb, 49, 27-51
This article summarizes current diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for a variety of childhood motility disorders. Motility disorders (problem with the movement of food or liquid the body) are common and may affect any area of the digestive tract. These problems can cause many symptoms including vomiting, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, choking, gagging, and poor appetite. The past decade has brought many changes in the understanding and treatment of these disorders. The following types of motility problems are discussed:
?h esophageal disorders: (cricopharyngeal dysfunction, achalasia (failure to relax the top of the esophagus)
?h gastroesophageal reflux disease
?h spastic disorders
?h rumination syndrome (excessive chewing)
?h stomach disorders: (gastroparesis (slow emptying), dumping syndrome (fast emptying), dysmotility after a nissen fundoplication, and cyclic vomiting syndrome
?h small intestine disorders (chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction and diarrhea)
?h disorders of the colon (constipation, Hirschbrung!|s disease, poor motility).
Also mentioned are new evaluation techniques such as electrogastrography, electric impedance, and topographic manometry. New options in medical management are also covered.
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