Motility Center

Suffering from motility problems, which can result in chronic abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distension and difficulty swallowing, can be emotionally difficult for both parents and children. It is often difficult to understand the diagnosis and treatment of motility disorders.

Children who suffer from motility problems frequently undergo countless and often invasive tests and procedures to determine a proper diagnosis and treatment. Many times, these tests provide no explanation for the symptoms.  

Our Motility Team is expert in caring for children with motility disorders because:

• Our Division Chief, Carlo Di Lorenzo, MD, is one of the world's premier experts in pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders.

• We use advanced diagnostic techniques that are only offered a few places in the world.

• We treat patients using a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach.

• We are committed to research to uncover new, more effective treatment options.

Families travel from across the country to meet Carlo Di Lorenzo, MD, one of the world’s premier experts in pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders and the chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Dr. Di Lorenzo and colleagues, Hayat Mousa, MD and Desale Yacob, MD specialize in the evaluation and management of previously unexplained causes of pediatric gastrointestinal dysmotility.

From behavioral-related motility problems to complex gastrointestinal disorders, Drs. Di Lorenzo and Mousa are pioneering innovative tests and treatments to both help families understand the reasons for their children’s symptoms and give them new hope in the ongoing pursuit of treating childhood digestive disorders. Examples of leading, innovative approaches include the implantation of a gastric pacemaker to treat for chronic gastroparesis, and sacral nerve stimulation, an advanced therapy that provides hope for children experiencing severe bowel or urinary incontinence.

They use a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach, which includes a child psychologist, dietitian and social worker, to care for children with complex GI neuromuscular disorders, including chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung's disease, gastroparesis and severe chronic constipation.

Children are diagnosed through the team's use of advanced motility testing including manometry, esophageal impedance, electrogastrography and electronic barostat. These specialized techniques study how the intestine moves, contracts and relaxes. They also can measure intestinal perception, including the threshold for discomfort and pain from the intestine.