Development of gastrointestinal motility in the infant and child.

The neuromuscular apparatus of the gastrointestinal tract develops early in gestation, but normal patterns of innervation and contractile activity are not achieved until near birth. This article reviews the ontogeny of gastrointestinal neuromuscular anatomy and the development of coordinated peristaltic function in the different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. This information provides a basis for understanding the difficulties encountered in successfully providing enteral feeding to the preterm infant.