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Congenital functional disorders of the colon

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Congenital functional disorders of the colon encompass a range of conditions characterized by impaired colonic motility and function, often presenting in infancy or early childhood with symptoms such as chronic constipation, abdominal distension, and failure to thrive. 11

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Chronic constipation, abdominal distension, and signs of bowel obstruction.
  • Diagnostic Tests: Barostat studies to assess gastrointestinal tone and motility 11.
  • Genetic Screening: Consideration of genetic testing for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) syndromes, particularly if there are systemic manifestations 14.
  • Imaging: Abdominal ultrasound or MRI to rule out structural abnormalities 3.
  • Management

  • Dietary Modifications: High-fiber diets and osmotic laxatives (e.g., lactulose) to manage constipation 11.
  • Medications: Use of prokinetic agents like metoclopramide to enhance colonic motility 11.
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy: Biofeedback and pelvic floor exercises for patients with suspected pelvic floor dysfunction 11.
  • Surgical Intervention: Reserved for severe cases with complications like volvulus or persistent symptoms unresponsive to medical therapy 11.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Early recognition and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes 14.
  • Comorbidities: Consider genetic and systemic involvement in patients with suspected CDG syndromes, requiring multidisciplinary care 14.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Utilize Barostat Studies for Diagnosis: Employ barostat assessments to evaluate colonic motility and tone in suspected cases (Evidence: Moderate 11).
  • Initiate Dietary and Medical Management Early: Start with dietary modifications and osmotic laxatives, supplemented by prokinetic agents if necessary (Evidence: Moderate 11).
  • Consider Genetic Testing in Complex Cases: Screen for congenital disorders of glycosylation in patients with systemic symptoms or unclear etiology (Evidence: Weak 14).
  • References

    1 Zidi W, Hadj-Taieb S, Kraoua I, Hachicha M, Seboui H, Monastiri K et al.. Single-center experience of congenital disorders of glycosylation syndrome screening in Tunisia: A retrospective study over a 15-year period (2007-2021). Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie 2024. link 2 Kiely C, Douglas KAA, Douglas VP, Miller JB, Lizano P. Overlap between ophthalmology and psychiatry - A narrative review focused on congenital and inherited conditions. Psychiatry research 2024. link 3 Kaefer M, Bagli D, Kalfa N, Beckers GMA, Harper L, Herbst K et al.. Genetics: The diagnostic frontier in pediatric urology. Journal of pediatric urology 2021. link 4 Tvina A, Thomsen A, Palatnik A. Prenatal and postnatal phenotype of a pathologic variant in the ATP6AP1 gene. European journal of medical genetics 2020. link 5 Kovell RC, Skokan AJ, Wood DN. Transitional Urology. The Urologic clinics of North America 2018. link 6 Zillioux JM, Jackson JN, Herndon CDA, Corbett ST, Kern NG. Caring for urologic transition patients: Current practice patterns and opinions. Journal of pediatric urology 2018. link 7 . Medical devices; gastroenterology-urology devices; classification of the rectal control system. Final order. Federal register 2015. link 8 Ujházy E, Mach M, Navarová J, Dubovický M. Teratology on the crossroads: historical aspects and modern approaches. Neuro endocrinology letters 2012. link 9 Treves ST, Baker A, Fahey FH, Cao X, Davis RT, Drubach LA et al.. Nuclear medicine in the first year of life. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine 2011. link 10 Rozet I. Anesthesia for functional neurosurgery: the role of dexmedetomidine. Current opinion in anaesthesiology 2008. link 11 van der Schaar PJ, Lamers CB, Masclee AA. The role of the barostat in human research and clinical practice. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. Supplement 1999. link 12 Dewald GW, Brothman AR, Butler MG, Cooley LD, Patil SR, Saikevych IA et al.. Pilot studies for proficiency testing using fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome-specific DNA probes: a College of American Pathologists/American College of Medical Genetics Program. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine 1997. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Single-center experience of congenital disorders of glycosylation syndrome screening in Tunisia: A retrospective study over a 15-year period (2007-2021).Zidi W, Hadj-Taieb S, Kraoua I, Hachicha M, Seboui H, Monastiri K et al. Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie (2024)
    2. [2]
      Overlap between ophthalmology and psychiatry - A narrative review focused on congenital and inherited conditions.Kiely C, Douglas KAA, Douglas VP, Miller JB, Lizano P Psychiatry research (2024)
    3. [3]
      Genetics: The diagnostic frontier in pediatric urology.Kaefer M, Bagli D, Kalfa N, Beckers GMA, Harper L, Herbst K et al. Journal of pediatric urology (2021)
    4. [4]
      Prenatal and postnatal phenotype of a pathologic variant in the ATP6AP1 gene.Tvina A, Thomsen A, Palatnik A European journal of medical genetics (2020)
    5. [5]
      Transitional Urology.Kovell RC, Skokan AJ, Wood DN The Urologic clinics of North America (2018)
    6. [6]
      Caring for urologic transition patients: Current practice patterns and opinions.Zillioux JM, Jackson JN, Herndon CDA, Corbett ST, Kern NG Journal of pediatric urology (2018)
    7. [7]
    8. [8]
      Teratology on the crossroads: historical aspects and modern approaches.Ujházy E, Mach M, Navarová J, Dubovický M Neuro endocrinology letters (2012)
    9. [9]
      Nuclear medicine in the first year of life.Treves ST, Baker A, Fahey FH, Cao X, Davis RT, Drubach LA et al. Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine (2011)
    10. [10]
      Anesthesia for functional neurosurgery: the role of dexmedetomidine.Rozet I Current opinion in anaesthesiology (2008)
    11. [11]
      The role of the barostat in human research and clinical practice.van der Schaar PJ, Lamers CB, Masclee AA Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. Supplement (1999)
    12. [12]
      Pilot studies for proficiency testing using fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome-specific DNA probes: a College of American Pathologists/American College of Medical Genetics Program.Dewald GW, Brothman AR, Butler MG, Cooley LD, Patil SR, Saikevych IA et al. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1997)

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