Autonomic Nervous System and Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: Pathology, Assessment, and Treatment Considerations for Pediatric Gastrointestinal Health Specialists.

John E Fortunato, Maria E Perez, Bonnie S Essner, Peter T Osgood

Journal: Gastroenterology clinics of North America 2025;54(3):531-555

PMID: 40752915

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The autonomic nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) system share a bidirectional relationship. Clinically, disruptions to either of these systems mutually influence the onset and persistence of symptoms modulated by the other system. The impact of autonomic dysfunction on GI health is especially relevant in the care of pediatric disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) as these patients commonly report a diverse range of symptoms both within and outside the GI tract. Therefore, it is essential to include the role of autonomic function in the assessment and treatment of pediatric patients with DGBI.

Address: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and Pritzker, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2025.05.002

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Child, Autonomic Nervous System Diseases, Autonomic Nervous System, Gastrointestinal Tract, Brain-Gut Axis