Pediatric Neurogastroenterology & Motility Program

Pediatric Neurogastroenterology & Motility Program

  • About
  • Approach
  • Who We Treat
  • Appointments
  • Services
  • Resources

    • The Pediatric Neurogastroenterology & Motility Program at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital provides specialized, multidisciplinary care for children and adolescents with complex gastrointestinal motility and functional disorders, including disorders of gut-brain interaction and refractory constipation.

    Our Approach

    The program integrates diagnostic modalities, medical and dietary therapies, and behavioral interventions, tailored to the developmental needs of pediatric patients. Clinical management is delivered by a team of experts trained according to standards set by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, and the American Neurogastroenterology & Motility Society. Ongoing research and innovation in the program support the development of novel therapies and best practices for improving patient outcomes.

    Who We Treat

    Our team evaluates and manages infants, children, and adolescents with complex gastrointestinal motility and functional disorders - including refractory constipation, gastroparesis, esophageal dysmotility, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and disorders of gut-brain interaction such as functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with congenital or acquired neuromuscular disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract - as well as those with severe or persistent symptoms impacting nutrition, growth, or quality of life - are also commonly referred for specialized multidisciplinary care.

    Appointment Information

    Currently this program acts as an expert consultation service only. Prior to being seen in our clinic, an evaluation by a pediatric subspecialist (e.g. pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric surgeon, adolescent medicine, etc) is needed. Patients are then triaged based on their suspected condition and urgency of need. Referral to this program must be done through our general GI referral process. 

    Referring providers: please state the specific condition that is suspected/diagnosed and the reason for referral (e.g. desire to undergo advance diagnostic testing, support in management of a known condition, transfer of motility care if diagnosed elsewhere with primary motility disorder).

    Services

    • Functional gastrointestinal disorders/disorders of gut-brain interaction (e.g., functional abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, cyclic vomiting syndrome)

    • Refractory constipation and fecal incontinence

    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal motility disorders (e.g., achalasia, esophageal atresia)

    • Gastroparesis and functional nausea/vomiting

    • Intestinal pseudo-obstruction and chronic intestinal dysmotility

    • Hirschsprung disease and other congenital or acquired neuromuscular disorders affecting the GI tract

    • Post-surgical motility disorders (e.g., after pull-through procedures)

    • Neurogenic bowel as a consequence of myelomeningocele, spinal cord injury, and other lower spinal cord disorders

    • High-resolution esophageal manometry (with or without impedance)

    • Antroduodenal manometry

    • Anorectal manometry

    • Colonic manometry

    • Colonic transit studies (using radiopaque markers)

    • pH-impedance monitoring

    • Gastric emptying studies (scintigraphy)

    • Endoscopy with mucosal biopsies (e.g., for disaccharidase testing)

    • Laboratory and imaging studies as indicated to rule out organic pathology

    • Balloon expulsion test

    • Pharmacologic therapy (e.g., osmotic and stimulant laxatives, prokinetics, secretagogues, serotonin agonists, neuromodulators)

    • Pelvic floor physical therapy and biofeedback

    • Behavioral and psychological interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, gut-directed hypnotherapy)

    • Antegrade continence enemas (ACE) and other surgical interventions for refractory constipation or pseudo-obstruction

    • Botulinum toxin injection, anal dilation, internal anal sphincter myectomy for select anorectal disorders

    • Multidisciplinary care coordination, including nutrition, psychology, and surgery as needed

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