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Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
09:45

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children

Published on: April 29, 2013

Electrical activity of the external anal sphincter at different ages in childhood

M L Molander, B Frenckner

    Gut
    |March 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    External anal sphincter muscle activity during rectal distension develops in childhood. Children with voluntary bowel control exhibit adult-like EMG patterns, while those without show different responses, indicating a correlation with maturation.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Neuroscience
    • Physiology

    Background:

    • Adults exhibit specific external anal sphincter (EAS) electromyography (EMG) responses to rectal distension.
    • Understanding the developmental trajectory of these EAS responses in children is crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the development of EAS EMG activity in children during rectal distension.
    • To correlate EAS EMG patterns with the maturation of voluntary defecation control.

    Main Methods:

    • EMG recordings of the EAS were performed on 30 healthy children (2 months to 15 years).
    • Recordings were taken at rest and during rectal distension.
    • EMG patterns were analyzed in relation to the children's voluntary anal control status.

    Main Results:

    • Children with voluntary anal control showed adult-like EAS EMG responses.
    • Younger children without voluntary control displayed a brief loss of EAS activity instead of contraction.
    • Prolonged distension led to decreased EAS activity in non-controlled children.
    • An intermediate EMG pattern was observed in the youngest children with emerging voluntary control.

    Conclusions:

    • EAS EMG responses to rectal distension mature during childhood.
    • The development of EAS EMG patterns correlates with the gain of voluntary defecation control.
    • EMG provides insights into the neuro-maturational processes underlying bowel control.

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