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Increased auditory startle reflex in children with functional abdominal pain

Mirte J Bakker1, Frits Boer, Marc A Benninga

  • 1Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.bakker@psy.umcn.nl

The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with functional gastrointestinal disorders exhibit heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, indicating potential central nervous system hyperresponsivity. This objective finding suggests a generalized hypersensitivity in these young patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Psychophysiology

Background:

  • Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children.
  • The underlying mechanisms of FGIDs, particularly sensory processing, require further investigation.
  • Previous research suggests potential links between FGIDs and altered sensory processing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis of generalized sensory hypersensitivity in children with abdominal pain-related FGIDs.
  • To objectively assess sensory stimulus responses in pediatric FGID patients compared to healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study design was employed, comparing 20 children with FGIDs (Rome III classification) to 23 healthy controls.
  • Auditory startle reflexes were measured using electromyography to assess the activity of 6 left-sided muscles and sympathetic skin response.
  • Sudden loud auditory stimuli were presented via headphones to elicit responses.

Main Results:

  • Children with abdominal pain-related FGIDs showed a significantly increased combined muscle response and blink response to auditory stimuli compared to controls.
  • No significant difference in sympathetic skin response was observed between the groups.
  • Comorbid anxiety or specific FGID subtypes did not significantly alter the observed hyperresponsivity.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides objective evidence of hyperresponsivity to non-gastrointestinal stimuli in children with FGIDs.
  • Findings suggest a generalized hypersensitivity of the central nervous system in pediatric patients experiencing abdominal pain-related FGIDs.
  • This hypersensitivity may represent a key pathophysiological factor contributing to FGID symptoms in children.
Abstract

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