Pediatric enteric neuropathies: diagnosis and current management.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Neurogastroenterology
• Enteric Nervous System Disorders

Background:

• Neurointestinal diseases are a growing cause of pediatric gastrointestinal morbidity.
• Understanding common pediatric enteric neuropathies is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common pediatric enteric neuropathies.
• To highlight recent diagnostic and management insights.
• To emphasize recent literature findings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pediatric enteric neuropathies.
• Analysis of embryologic and histopathologic causes.
• Evaluation of current and emerging therapies.

Main Results:

• Enteric neuropathies have diverse causes, including congenital aganglionosis (Hirschsprung disease) and autoimmune/degenerative processes.
• Early diagnosis and management improve outcomes, but evidence for current therapies (medical, neurostimulation, surgical) in children is limited.
• Neuronal stem cell transplantation is a promising future therapy.

Conclusions:

• Advances in neurogastroenterology improve understanding but current treatments have limited efficacy.
• Novel therapies, including pharmacologic, neurostimulation, and cell-based approaches, are needed for better long-term outcomes.
• Further multi-institutional studies are required to strengthen the evidence base for pediatric treatments.