Manometric study on the intestinal motility in a case of megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome.

We report on the intestinal motility in a case of megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) based on a total registered time of 9.5 h by means of a manometric method we recently developed for neonates. The characteristics of this case are as follows: (a) the frequency of the contractions in the stomach and duodenum was significantly lower than that of healthy infants; and (b) bands of rhythmic contractions, resembling phase III activity of the interdigestive migrating contractions in adults, were recorded in the duodenum, but their occurrence was less frequent and the amplitude was significantly lower than that of healthy infants. The present study indicates that "hypoperistalsis" in MMIHS means not only the low frequency, but also the low amplitude, of the contractions in the alimentary tract.