Gender differences in reduced substance P (SP) in children with slow-transit constipation

Abstract

Purpose: Adult slow-transit constipation (STC) occurs predominantly in females and is associated with low numbers of substance P (SP)-containing nerves in colonic circular muscle. Aim: To determine if reduced SP nerves is female predominant in paediatric STC. Methods: Children with STC were identified from records of more than 600 nuclear transit studies (NTS) and intestinal biopsies done for intractable chronic constipation between November 1998 and March 2009. Colonic seromuscular biopsies collected from hepatic and splenic flexures, and sigmoid colon were processed for immunohistochemistry. Nerve fibre density in circular muscle containing SP was measured qualitatively by a pathologist. R..