Intestinal neuronal dysplasia
Encyclopedia
Intestinal neuronal dysplasia (or neuronal intestinal dysplasia or NID) is an inherited disease of the intestine that effects one in 3000 children and adults. The intestine uses peristalsis
to push its contents toward the anus
; IND sufferers have a problem with the motor neuron
s that lead to the intestine, inhibiting this process and thus preventing digestion.
It can often be confused for Hirschsprung's disease
, as both have similar symptoms.
It can be grouped into NID A and NID B, with the "A" form affecting the sympathetic
innervation, and the "B" version affecting the parasympathetic innervation.
s and enema
s, and has limited success. Dietary changes in order to control the disease are ineffective and high fiber diets often worsen the symptoms in children. As a last resort, surgical treatment (internal sphincter myectomy or colon resection) is used. In extreme cases, the only effective cure is a complete transplant of the affected parts. The threat of IND is such that, even though it is relatively rare, all new born babies are kept in hospital until they defecate.
Peristalsis
Peristalsis is a radially symmetrical contraction and relaxation of muscles which propagates in a wave down the muscular tube, in an anterograde fashion. In humans, peristalsis is found in the contraction of smooth muscles to propel contents through the digestive tract. Earthworms use a similar...
to push its contents toward the anus
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
; IND sufferers have a problem with the motor neuron
Motor neuron
In vertebrates, the term motor neuron classically applies to neurons located in the central nervous system that project their axons outside the CNS and directly or indirectly control muscles...
s that lead to the intestine, inhibiting this process and thus preventing digestion.
It can often be confused for Hirschsprung's disease
Hirschsprung's disease
Hirschsprung's disease , or congenital aganglionic megacolon is a serious medical problem where the enteric nervous system is missing from the end of the bowel. The enteric nervous system is a complex network of neurons and glia that controls most aspects of intestinal function...
, as both have similar symptoms.
It can be grouped into NID A and NID B, with the "A" form affecting the sympathetic
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system is one of the three parts of the autonomic nervous system, along with the enteric and parasympathetic systems. Its general action is to mobilize the body's nervous system fight-or-flight response...
innervation, and the "B" version affecting the parasympathetic innervation.
Treatment
Conservative treatment involves the long term use of laxativeLaxative
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
s and enema
Enema
An enema is the procedure of introducing liquids into the rectum and colon via the anus. The increasing volume of the liquid causes rapid expansion of the lower intestinal tract, often resulting in very uncomfortable bloating, cramping, powerful peristalsis, a feeling of extreme urgency and...
s, and has limited success. Dietary changes in order to control the disease are ineffective and high fiber diets often worsen the symptoms in children. As a last resort, surgical treatment (internal sphincter myectomy or colon resection) is used. In extreme cases, the only effective cure is a complete transplant of the affected parts. The threat of IND is such that, even though it is relatively rare, all new born babies are kept in hospital until they defecate.