Gastrointestinal motility in the neonate

Motor function in the stomach and intestine is responsible for the forward propulsion of nutrients. The regulation of motor function is multifaceted in the adult and many of the aspects of regulation are immature in the preterm infant. Thus, gastric emptying and intestinal transit are delayed in the preterm infant compared to the term infant and the adult. Manometry has been used to identify better feeding strategies for preterm infants and to identify those infants at risk for developing feeding intolerance.