Disorders of Gastrointestinal Motility in Childhood

Leading researchers of gastrointestinal motility in childhood have gathered together in this comprehensive volume the most important topics in the rapidly growing area of paediatric gastroenterology. These divide into four sections, the first of which examines the current understanding of the ontogeny of motility, particularly the oesphagus and small intestine. The development of smooth muscle and enteric nerves are considered together with their interrelationship with the neuro endocrine environment. The second section deals with disordered oesophageal function, particularly gastro-oesophageal reflux and its role in a variety of clinical conditions including chronic broncho pulmonary disease and sudden infant death syndrome. The third section considers disordered motility of the small intestine and colon. Disease of the smooth muscle and enteric nerves in the small and large intestine are discussed along with function disorders associated with cystic fibrosis irritable bowel syndrome and constipation in childhood.
The last section focusses on therapeutics and is devoted mainly to the development and the role of gastrointestinal prokinetic agents with regard to established agents, new developments and future directions.