Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility: Moving Rapidly Into the Future

Abstract

The field of pediatric neurogastroenterology and motility encompasses some of the most common and severe gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that affect children. GI motility disorders remain, in general, poorly understood, variably diagnosed, and inadequately treated. Although the field progressed relatively slowly over the last decades, the coming years will, no doubt, see it move into a prolific and dynamic era. With this review, we look forward to this brighter future for the field and highlight emerging areas that show promise and deserve focus in the coming years. This includes the role of early life programming and insult of the enteric neuromusculature as a key determinant of motility diseases and factors that are likely to be relevant in disease etiopathogenesis. We discuss several recent and futuristic developments and advancements in investigative and diagnostic tools as well as novel approaches that have been introduced in the management of GI motility disorders. These include targeted and personalized medicine in both pharmacological and multidisciplinary approaches as well as the emerging therapeutic options such as bioelectrical neuromodulation and regenerative medicine.