After somatostatin infusion in rats, the proliferative activity in ileal crypts was examined under a variety of circumstances known to influence mucosal behaviour. The anticipated hyperplastic response to resection was inhibited by somatostatin treatment, not only under conditions of intestinal continuity but also in isolated segments of ileum. These results suggest that postresectional ileal hyperplasia is humorally mediated and is explicable on the basis of somatostatin suppression of trophic gut hormones. However, a direct effect of somatostatin and other secondary effects cannot be excluded.

In this report we present a patient with the unique combination of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and congenital thrombocytopenia with a nonspecific type of giant platelet disorder.Congenital intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare disorder of gut motility,' which may be 'idiopathic' or the result of a range of identified abnormalities of intestinal smooth muscle or its innervation.2 The commonest mode of inheritance appears to be autosomal recessive,3 although autosomal dominant, X linked dominant, and sporadic cases are described.3 4 There have been no previous reports of intestinal pseudo-obstruction occurring with a platelet disorder. Case reportThe male proband was the result of the first pregnancy of non-consanguineous, healthy 19 year old parents. There was no family history of gastrointestinal or haematological problems.Dilated loops of bowel were noted on antenatal ultrasound in the third trimester, so a gastrointestinal problem was expected after birth. He was delivered at term by emergency caesarean section because of fetal distress. He was in good condition and no resuscitation was necessary. Birth weight was 4120 g (90th centile), length 52 cm (70th centile), and head circumference 36-5 cm (80th centile). No abdominal distension was observed at birth but within 24 hours abdominal x rays showed multiple fluid levels and barium enema suggested a malrotation. At operation, malrotation with midgut volvulus was corrected and a narrowed segment of terminal ileum with proxi-

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