title: Enteric nervous system and developmental abnormalities in childhood.
abstract: ENS consists of a complex network of neurons, organised in several plexuses, which interact by means of numerous neurotransmitters. It is capable of modulating the intestinal motility, exocrine and endocrine secretions, microcirculation and immune and inflammatory responses within the gastrointestinal tract, independent of the central nervous system. Though the embryological development of various plexuses are completed by mid-way of gestation, the maturation of neurons and nerve plexuses appear to continue well after birth. Therefore, any histological or functional abnormalities related to the gastrointestinal function must be investigated with the ongoing maturational processes in mind.
authors.affiliation: Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, University College Dublin, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland.
authors.forename: Thambipillai Sri
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Paran
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rolle
authors.forename: Prem
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D045888:Ganglion Cysts / Q000196:embryology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000294:innervation*; D051098:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factors / Q000502:physiology; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000196:embryology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051098:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents