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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
07:33
A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
Published on: March 5, 2018
Chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction in young children.
Gastroenterology
|July 1, 1986
Summary
This study investigated chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction in young children, finding severe gastrointestinal and urinary tract dysfunction despite mostly normal histology. Early-onset symptoms like infections and bladder issues are key indicators.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Urology
- Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Background:
- Chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction (CIPO) is a rare, severe motility disorder.
- Early-onset CIPO in children presents diagnostic challenges.
- Associated urinary tract dysfunction is frequently observed.
Observation:
- Eight young children (4 boys, 4 girls) with CIPO were studied.
- Symptoms including recurrent urinary tract infections and dysuria appeared between a few weeks and 5 years of age.
- All patients exhibited marked gastrointestinal tract dilatation and megacystis.
Findings:
- Conventional pathology of gastrointestinal specimens was normal in 5/8 patients; abnormalities included fibrosis and lipofuscin pigment in smooth muscle in 2/8.
- Myenteric plexus examination was normal in the 2 patients tested.
- Urinary bladder biopsies showed collagen separation of smooth muscle cells in 3 patients.
- Intestinal manometry revealed weak, infrequent contractions in 3 patients.
Implications:
- Severe gastrointestinal and urinary tract dysfunction can occur in children with CIPO and relatively normal histologic findings.
- This suggests non-histologic factors or subtle abnormalities may underlie the severe functional deficits.
- Further research into the pathophysiology of pediatric CIPO is warranted to improve diagnosis and management.
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