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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM
Published on: December 1, 2010
Motility disorders in infants
I J N Koppen1, M A Benninga1, M M J Singendonk1
1Department of Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders are common and varied. This review examines their development, focusing on how preterm birth impacts these conditions in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal motility disorders are prevalent in children, presenting diverse symptoms from reflux to feeding issues.
- These disorders can impact the entire digestive system, ranging in severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the embryologic and developmental aspects of gastrointestinal motility.
- To specifically investigate the influence of preterm birth on the development of infant motility disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on embryology, prenatal, and neonatal development of gastrointestinal motility.
- Analysis of common congenital and acquired motility disorders in infancy.
Main Results:
- Normal motility patterns in infants are established as a baseline.
- The review details the impact of preterm birth on the incidence and presentation of these disorders.
Conclusions:
- Understanding normal development is crucial for diagnosing motility disorders.
- Preterm birth is a significant factor influencing the development of gastrointestinal motility issues in infants.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal motility disorders are common in the pediatric population and may affect the entire gastrointestinal tract and can vary from mild to severe conditions. They may clinically manifest as gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms, feeding difficulties and failure to thrive, constipation and diarrhea amongst others. This review first highlights the embryologic development of the gastrointestinal tract, after which the prenatal and neonatal development of gastrointestinal motility is discussed. Normal motility patterns as seen in (preterm) infants are described as a background for the discussion of the most common congenital and acquired motility disorders in infancy. This review specifically focuses on the role of preterm birth on the development of these disorders.
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