Three dimension high-definition manometry in evaluation of anorectal function in 104 normal infants and children: A clinical study from China.

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate anorectal function of normal infants and children through three dimension high-definitionanorectal manometry (3D ARM) to fill the research blank in this area. From November 2014 to January 2019, 104 normal infants and children among patients who underwent 3D ARM were divided into four groups according to age (≤1month; >1month to ≤1year; >1year to ≤4years and >4years) and reviewed. The following parameters were performed: the length of anorectal high-pressure zone (HPZ), the resting pressure of HPZ (HPZ-rest), the squeezing pressure of HPZ (HPZ-sqze), recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), and pressure distribution of the anal canal. Graphpad Prism 7.0software was used for statistical analysis. HPZ, HPZ-rest, and HPZ-sqze increased with age. There were differences in HPZ-rest and HPZ-sqze between the groups (p<0.05). Sex had a significant effect on HPZ, but not on HPZ-rest and HPZ-sqze. The HPZ of males was higher than that of females among those ≤1month old (p<0.05). RAIR (-) was found in 17 patients (16%) for whom Hirschsprung's disease were excluded by biopsy, and these patients had regular defecation during follow-up. Most of the patients (85%) older than 1year had a symmetric anal pressure distribution during the contracting period (p<0.05). Anal canal function parameters gradually increased with age in normal infants and children which demonstrated the important role of age in evaluation, and these parameters can provide a reference for postoperative evaluation of anal canal function.