Motilin in children with recurrent abdominal pain: a controlled study

The aim of this study was to compare serum motilin levels in children with and without recurrent abdominal pain, based on the assumption that recurrent abdominal pain in children is a gut motility disorder. In this controlled study, 19 children between 6 and 15 years of age with recurrent non-organic abdominal pain and 20 control children between 6 and 15 years of age without abdominal pain or other functional somatic complaints were evaluated. No statistical significant difference was found in serum motilin levels between children with and without abdominal pain. Median difference between the groups was 11 pmol/l (95% confidence limits of median difference -9 to +33). This investigation could not support the assumption that motilin might be a pathogenic factor in children with recurrent abdominal pain. It is suggested, however, that future research should compare serum motilin levels during and between attacks of pain.