Intestinal peptides and their relevance in pediatric disease.

Gastrointestinal (GI) endocrinology has undergone rapid change during recent years. A greater appreciation has been gained for the role of gut peptides in the regulation of GI motility, secretion, blood flow, absorption, and immunity. Furthermore, it is increasingly recognized that these peptides function in both the brain and the gut as neurotransmitters. Many effects initially attributed to hormonal influences are now known to be neurocrine in origin. GI peptides can be classified into families based on their structural homology. In this article, the physiology of the major gut peptides is reviewed, and their role in the pathophysiology of GI disorders is highlighted.