U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Gastrointestinal dysmotility

MedGen UID:
324638
Concept ID:
C1836923
Finding
Synonym: GI dysmotility
 
HPO: HP:0002579

Definition

Abnormal intestinal contractions, such as spasms and intestinal paralysis, related to the loss of the ability of the gut to coordinate muscular activity because of endogenous or exogenous causes. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Cyclical vomiting syndrome
MedGen UID:
57509
Concept ID:
C0152164
Disease or Syndrome
A condition characterized by recurrent, self-limiting episodes of vomiting associated with intense nausea, pallor, and lethargy. It is commonly a migraine precursor.
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
MedGen UID:
61231
Concept ID:
C0175694
Disease or Syndrome
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a congenital multiple-anomaly / cognitive impairment syndrome caused by an abnormality in cholesterol metabolism resulting from deficiency of the enzyme 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) reductase. It is characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth restriction, microcephaly, moderate-to-severe intellectual disability, and multiple major and minor malformations. The malformations include distinctive facial features, cleft palate, cardiac defects, underdeveloped external genitalia in males, postaxial polydactyly, and 2-3 syndactyly of the toes. The clinical spectrum is wide; individuals with normal development and only minor malformations have been described.
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 4b
MedGen UID:
462264
Concept ID:
C3150914
Disease or Syndrome
POLG-related disorders comprise a continuum of overlapping phenotypes that were clinically defined long before their molecular basis was known. Most affected individuals have some, but not all, of the features of a given phenotype; nonetheless, the following nomenclature can assist the clinician in diagnosis and management. Onset of the POLG-related disorders ranges from infancy to late adulthood. Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (AHS), one of the most severe phenotypes, is characterized by childhood-onset progressive and ultimately severe encephalopathy with intractable epilepsy and hepatic failure. Childhood myocerebrohepatopathy spectrum (MCHS) presents between the first few months of life and about age three years with developmental delay or dementia, lactic acidosis, and a myopathy with failure to thrive. Other findings can include liver failure, renal tubular acidosis, pancreatitis, cyclic vomiting, and hearing loss. Myoclonic epilepsy myopathy sensory ataxia (MEMSA) now describes the spectrum of disorders with epilepsy, myopathy, and ataxia without ophthalmoplegia. MEMSA now includes the disorders previously described as spinocerebellar ataxia with epilepsy (SCAE). The ataxia neuropathy spectrum (ANS) includes the phenotypes previously referred to as mitochondrial recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS) and sensory ataxia neuropathy dysarthria and ophthalmoplegia (SANDO). About 90% of persons in the ANS have ataxia and neuropathy as core features. Approximately two thirds develop seizures and almost one half develop ophthalmoplegia; clinical myopathy is rare. Autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia (arPEO) is characterized by progressive weakness of the extraocular eye muscles resulting in ptosis and ophthalmoparesis (or paresis of the extraocular muscles) without associated systemic involvement; however, caution is advised because many individuals with apparently isolated arPEO at the onset develop other manifestations of POLG-related disorders over years or decades. Of note, in the ANS spectrum the neuropathy commonly precedes the onset of PEO by years to decades. Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (adPEO) typically includes a generalized myopathy and often variable degrees of sensorineural hearing loss, axonal neuropathy, ataxia, depression, parkinsonism, hypogonadism, and cataracts (in what has been called "chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia plus," or "CPEO+").
Congenital insensitivity to pain-hypohidrosis syndrome
MedGen UID:
894363
Concept ID:
C4225308
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type VIII (HSAN8) is an autosomal recessive neurologic disorder characterized by congenital insensitivity to pain resulting in ulceration to the fingers, tongue, lips, and other distal appendages. Affected individuals may also have decreased sweating and tear production (summary by Chen et al., 2015). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, see HSAN1A (162400).
Intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 53
MedGen UID:
1623344
Concept ID:
C4540481
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 54
MedGen UID:
1614787
Concept ID:
C4540484
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1631838
Concept ID:
C4551995
Disease or Syndrome
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE) disease is characterized by progressive gastrointestinal dysmotility (manifesting as early satiety, nausea, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, postprandial emesis, episodic abdominal pain and/or distention, and diarrhea); cachexia; ptosis/ophthalmoplegia or ophthalmoparesis; leukoencephalopathy; and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy (manifesting as paresthesias (tingling, numbness, and pain) and symmetric and distal weakness more prominently affecting the lower extremities). The order in which manifestations appear is unpredictable. Onset is usually between the first and fifth decades; in about 60% of individuals, symptoms begin before age 20 years.
Oculopharyngeal myopathy with leukoencephalopathy 1
MedGen UID:
1684701
Concept ID:
C5231436
Disease or Syndrome
Li-Campeau syndrome
MedGen UID:
1788485
Concept ID:
C5543068
Disease or Syndrome
Li-Campeau syndrome (LICAS) is an autosomal recessive syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay with impaired intellectual development, dysmorphic facial features, hypothyroidism, and variable abnormalities of the cardiac and genital systems. Additional features may include seizures, short stature, hypotonia, and brain imaging anomalies, such as cortical atrophy (summary by Li et al., 2021).
Intellectual developmental disorder, X-linked 112
MedGen UID:
1840225
Concept ID:
C5829589
Disease or Syndrome
X-linked intellectual disorder-112 (XLID112) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, with speech delay more prominent than motor delay, autism or autism traits, and variable dysmorphic features. Affected females have been reported, which appears to be related to skewed X-inactivation (summary by Hiatt et al., 2023).
Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial dna deletions, autosomal recessive 6
MedGen UID:
1847098
Concept ID:
C5882731
Disease or Syndrome
Autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia-6 (PEOB6) is characterized by ptosis and ophthalmoplegia as well as other clinical manifestations and multiple mtDNA deletions in muscle (Shintaku et al., 2022). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of autosomal recessive PEO, see PEOB1 (258450).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

McMahan ZH, Kulkarni S, Chen J, Chen JZ, Xavier RJ, Pasricha PJ, Khanna D
Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023 Mar;19(3):166-181. Epub 2023 Feb 6 doi: 10.1038/s41584-022-00900-6. PMID: 36747090
Deane AM, Chapman MJ, Reintam Blaser A, McClave SA, Emmanuel A
Nutr Clin Pract 2019 Feb;34(1):23-36. Epub 2018 Oct 7 doi: 10.1002/ncp.10199. PMID: 30294835
Di Nardo G, Karunaratne TB, Frediani S, De Giorgio R
Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017 Dec;29(12) doi: 10.1111/nmo.13231. PMID: 29143474

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

McMahan ZH, Kulkarni S, Chen J, Chen JZ, Xavier RJ, Pasricha PJ, Khanna D
Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023 Mar;19(3):166-181. Epub 2023 Feb 6 doi: 10.1038/s41584-022-00900-6. PMID: 36747090
Jabłońska B, Mrowiec S
Nutrients 2021 Apr 28;13(5) doi: 10.3390/nu13051498. PMID: 33925138Free PMC Article
Gidwaney NG, Bajpai M, Chokhavatia SS
J Clin Gastroenterol 2016 Nov/Dec;50(10):819-827. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000650. PMID: 27552331
El-Hattab AW, Scaglia F
Neurotherapeutics 2013 Apr;10(2):186-98. doi: 10.1007/s13311-013-0177-6. PMID: 23385875Free PMC Article
Winston N, Vernino S
Front Neurol Neurosci 2009;26:85-93. Epub 2009 Apr 6 doi: 10.1159/000212370. PMID: 19349706

Diagnosis

McMahan ZH, Kulkarni S, Chen J, Chen JZ, Xavier RJ, Pasricha PJ, Khanna D
Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023 Mar;19(3):166-181. Epub 2023 Feb 6 doi: 10.1038/s41584-022-00900-6. PMID: 36747090
Stathopoulos P, Dalakas MC
Dysphagia 2022 Jun;37(3):473-487. Epub 2021 Jul 5 doi: 10.1007/s00455-021-10338-9. PMID: 34226958Free PMC Article
Zenzeri L, Tambucci R, Quitadamo P, Giorgio V, De Giorgio R, Di Nardo G
Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2020 May;36(3):230-237. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000630. PMID: 32073506
Muppidi S, Vernino S
Handb Clin Neurol 2013;117:321-7. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-53491-0.00025-0. PMID: 24095135
Nimgaonkar A, Choi JW, Nguyen L, Triadafilopoulos G
Dig Dis Sci 2012 May;57(5):1130-3. Epub 2011 Oct 30 doi: 10.1007/s10620-011-1946-x. PMID: 22038542

Therapy

Simon E, Călinoiu LF, Mitrea L, Vodnar DC
Nutrients 2021 Jun 20;13(6) doi: 10.3390/nu13062112. PMID: 34203002Free PMC Article
Kirby DF, Raheem SA, Corrigan ML
Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2018 Mar;47(1):209-218. Epub 2017 Dec 6 doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2017.09.005. PMID: 29413013
Drummond L, Gearry RB
Adv Food Nutr Res 2013;68:219-32. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-394294-4.00012-2. PMID: 23394990
Chapman MJ, Nguyen NQ, Deane AM
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2013 Mar;16(2):209-16. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e32835c1fa5. PMID: 23334174
Nimgaonkar A, Choi JW, Nguyen L, Triadafilopoulos G
Dig Dis Sci 2012 May;57(5):1130-3. Epub 2011 Oct 30 doi: 10.1007/s10620-011-1946-x. PMID: 22038542

Prognosis

Stathopoulos P, Dalakas MC
Dysphagia 2022 Jun;37(3):473-487. Epub 2021 Jul 5 doi: 10.1007/s00455-021-10338-9. PMID: 34226958Free PMC Article
Berger M, Steen VD
Autoimmun Rev 2017 Oct;16(10):1029-1035. Epub 2017 Aug 1 doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.07.019. PMID: 28778706
Mckeon A, Benarroch EE
Handb Clin Neurol 2016;133:405-16. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63432-0.00022-0. PMID: 27112689
El-Hattab AW, Scaglia F
Neurotherapeutics 2013 Apr;10(2):186-98. doi: 10.1007/s13311-013-0177-6. PMID: 23385875Free PMC Article
Winston N, Vernino S
Front Neurol Neurosci 2009;26:85-93. Epub 2009 Apr 6 doi: 10.1159/000212370. PMID: 19349706

Clinical prediction guides

Onesimo R, Giorgio V, Viscogliosi G, Sforza E, Kuczynska E, Margiotta G, Iademarco M, Proli F, Rigante D, Zampino G, Leoni C
Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2022 Dec;190(4):478-493. Epub 2022 Dec 14 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32019. PMID: 36515923
Sierp EL, Kurmis R, Lange K, Yandell R, Chapman M, Greenwood J, Chapple LS
JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2021 Jul;45(5):1052-1060. Epub 2020 Aug 25 doi: 10.1002/jpen.1979. PMID: 32767430
Chapple LA, Deane A
Curr Opin Crit Care 2018 Apr;24(2):118-123. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000487. PMID: 29461261
Hakim A, O'Callaghan C, De Wandele I, Stiles L, Pocinki A, Rowe P
Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2017 Mar;175(1):168-174. Epub 2017 Feb 4 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31543. PMID: 28160388
Mckeon A, Benarroch EE
Handb Clin Neurol 2016;133:405-16. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63432-0.00022-0. PMID: 27112689

Recent systematic reviews

Cheng YK, Ling YZ, Yang CF, Li YM
Acta Neurol Belg 2023 Oct;123(5):1663-1678. Epub 2023 Jan 20 doi: 10.1007/s13760-023-02174-5. PMID: 36662402Free PMC Article
Tufvesson H, Hamrefors V, Ohlsson B
Scand J Gastroenterol 2023 Jun;58(6):572-582. Epub 2022 Dec 22 doi: 10.1080/00365521.2022.2160272. PMID: 36546668
Sallam H, McNearney TA, Chen JD
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006 Mar 15;23(6):691-712. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02804.x. PMID: 16556171

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Consumer resources

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...