Fax: + 44 20 7813 8382Gut Motility disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders that result from disruption of the functional integrity of the intrinsic neuromusculature of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This intrinsic neuromusculature includes the smooth muscle layers, the intrinsic nervous system of the GI tract (enteric nervous system or ENS) and the interstitial cells of Cajal. The contribution of each of these components to function can be compromised by alterations in structure (ranging from absence to derangement in numbers and/or anatomy) or of function (complete or partial failure in physiological function). This pathology can be primary or secondary to a number of insults e.g. infections, inflammation, toxins etc. In children disorders may be congenital being present from birth or acquired later in life. Finally involvement of the enteric neuromusculature can be patchy/segmental or affect the gastrointestinal tract diffusely.Neuro-gastroenterology is the study of the interface of all aspects of the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system with the different branches of the body's nervous system including the enteric, central and autonomic nervous systems. The combined terms 'Neurogastroenterology and motility' are designed to encompass the study of all the components of the enteric neuromuscualture and their modulating influences and represents one of the fastest growing areas in gastroenterology clinical practice and research. This chapter aims to address some of the most common neurogastroenterology and motility conditions seen in clinical practice ranging from those with defined pathology to those which fall under the umbrella of functional gastrointestinal disorders. The latter comprise some of the commonest but challenging disorders and the term 'functional' reflects the fact that in the majority of such conditions no organic cause can be found. It should also be noted that at the present time many functional disorders e.g. abdominal pain-related functional GI disorders, represent symptom complexes that can further be subdivided into more discrete entities e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain etc depending on the nature, location and associations of the symptoms. Clinicians will often rely on the presence or absence of 'red flags' e.g. associated weight loss, severe or significant symptoms etc to decide whether patients are likely to have organic or functional disorders. Exhaustive investigations in the latter are likely to prove fruitless, expensive and perpetuate 'illness behaviours' in the patients. Abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders IntroductionAbdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) constitute a spectrum of conditions characterised by the presence of recurrent abdominal pain in the absence of any defined pathology 1 . In the past these disorders fell under the single term 'Recurrent abdominal pain' (RAP) but have since been recategorised under an international initiative (Rome Foundation) to improve the dia...

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Purpose of review Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is the most severe and disabling form of gastrointestinal dysmotility characterized by an impairment of coordinated propulsive activity in the gastrointestinal tract mimicking mechanical intestinal obstruction. Over the last few years, major advances have been made in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this rare disorder. Recent findings The present narrative review aims to summarize the current literature about the management of CIPO focusing on significant novelties about definition, epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic options. The most significant advancement is a consensus on classification and dedicated diagnostic criteria for CIPO in children highlighting the distinctive features between adult and pediatric forms of CIPO (hence pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction). Despite no single diagnostic test is pathognomonic of CIPO and no recommended drug treatment is advised to improve gastrointestinal motility, recent reports suggest promising results in both diagnostic testing and therapy that might assist the diagnosis and help the management of patients with CIPO. Summary The articles referenced in this review will help in optimizing the clinical management of this rare and severe disease in adult population.

Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome is a congenital cutaneous and gastrointestinal haemangiomatosis. Its morbidity and mortality depends on involvement of visceral organs and particularly on GI bleeding. The treatment is based on pharmacological or surgical therapy. Overall, the most important step is the follow-up to the presence and the evolution of GI lesions and the possible bleeding.

Our data show that the use of Rome III diagnostic criteria is not sufficiently widespread among pediatricians, and that large variability remains in the management of FGIDs within the different Mediterranean countries surveyed.

Objective: Although emerging data indicate that obese/overweight children are more likely to develop functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) than normal-weight peers, contrasting results have been reported. The present observational, case-control study aimed at estimating the prevalence of FGIDs in obese/overweight children compared to normal-weight peers. Methods: Consecutive obese and overweight children aged 4 to 18 years attending the obesity outpatient clinic were enrolled as study cases. Normal-weight children were enrolled as comparison group. All the enrolled patients received a thorough health examination from both a pediatric endocrinologist and gastroenterologist. Moreover, they were asked to fill out the Rome III questionnaire for the diagnosis of FGIDs. Data were analyzed to compare the prevalence of FGIDs between cases and controls. Results: Throughout the study period we enrolled 103 cases and 115 controls. No significant age and sex differences were found between the 2 groups. FGIDs were significantly more prevalent in obese/overweight compared to normal-weight children (47.57% vs 17.39%; P < 0.0001). Increased prevalence was observed for functional constipation (18.44% vs 7.82%; P = 0.025), functional dyspepsia (23.33% vs 6.95%; P = 0.001), and irritable bowel syndrome (10.67% vs 2.60%; P = 0.024), whereas no difference was observed for functional abdominal pain (1.94% vs 2.60%; P = 1.00). Conclusions: Our data suggest that there is a link between excess body fat and FGIDs in children. This finding may offer a model of patients in which the effects of food and nutritional substances, the gut microbial environment, and psychosocial factors are fitting well with the emerging biopsychosocial conceptual model for FGIDs.

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