Neuronal immaturity in normoganglionic colon from cases of Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformation, and idiopathic constipation

AimImmaturity of neurons in normoganglionic colon in Hirschsprung disease (HD), anorectal malformation (AM), idiopathic constipation (IC), and normal controls (C) was assessed using polysialyated neural cell adhesion molecule.MethodsPolysialyated neural cell adhesion molecule immunoreactivity in 3 sections of normoganglionic colon from HD (n = 48), AM (n = 25), IC (n = 36), and C (n = 18) were scored semiquantitatively according to age; 1 day to 11 months (G1), 1 to 4 years (G2), and 5 years and older (G3).ResultsNeurons in all specimens appeared mature irrespective of age on hematoxylin-eosin stain. Polysialyated neural cell adhesion molecule was positive (immaturity) in all specimens during G1 (1.34 in HD, 1.60 in AM, 0.89 in IC, and 1.59 in C) and decreased significantly with age in C (0.34* for G2, 0.25* for G3; *P < .01), decreased after 4 years old in IC (0.93 for G2, 0.10# for G3; #P < .05), decreased gradually in AM (1.10 for G2, 0.75§ for G3; §P < .05), but remained strongly positive in HD (1.34 for G1, 1.26 for G2, and 1.21 for G3; P = not significant), which after 4 years was significantly higher than C (P < .05).ConclusionPostoperative colonic dysmotility may be because of persistence of immature neurons in HD and impaired maturation of neurons in AM and IC.