Autonomic innervation of the intestine from a baby with megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome: I. Immunohistochemical study.

A typical case of megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is reported. The patient, an infant girl, was fed only by total intravenous nutrition and is now 3 years old. The distribution of several gut peptides was examined in the resected small intestine using an immunohistochemical method. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine methionine (PHM)-containing nerve fibers were decreased; however, substance P- and leucine enkephalin (Leu-ENK)-containing fibers were increased. The imbalance between several kinds of gut peptides might be one the causes of aperistalsis in MMIHS. This is the first report about the gut peptides of MMIHS.