From Colic to Crohn's Disease
Pediatric gastroenterologists are physician specialists who care
for children with problems of the gastrointestinal tract, including
the esophagus, stomach, large and small bowel, liver and pancreas.
Gastrointestinal disorders in children range from minor to life-threatening,
and short- to long-term, or chronic. Among the childhood gastrointestinal
problems treated here are:
· reflux and vomiting
· colic
· abdominal pain
· inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis)
· peptic ulcer disease
· liver disease
· polyps in the colon
· motility disorders (problems with movement of food through
the gastrointestinal tract), including irritable bowel syndrome
· pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
· diarrhea
· constipation
· retrieval of swallowed foreign bodies using the endoscope
· problems with food absorption
· esophageal varices (varicose veins in the esophagus)
Patient visits to the Pediatric Gastroenterology
Department number about 8,500 per year. The Children's Hospital
at The Cleveland Clinic is one of the largest U.S. centers for
inflammatory bowel diseases.
First, Diagnose the Problem An accurate diagnosis is the key to good treatment,
and a doctor's expertise is the most important element in diagnosing
a child's problem. The doctor often orders tests to confirm a
diagnosis. Any test needed to diagnose gastrointestinal problems
is available at our hospital, including some very sophisticated
and specialized ones performed at only a few hospitals nationwide.
Leading-Edge Treatment Innovative treatments are the hallmark of our
Pediatric Gastroenterology Department.
Some examples:
· A new medication, which our staff helped research, that
has dramatically improved the health of children with serious
inflammatory bowel disease
· Our unique Center for Functional and GI Motility Disorders,
which helps children with chronic disease learn to cope with pain
and other symptoms
through biofeedback and other techniques
· Pediatric liver transplantation, which provides different
options for children with very serious liver disease and has excellent
survival rates
Taking the time to explain treatment options and
plans to patients and their families is a high priority for our
pediatric gastroenterology team. Team members also encourage patients
and families' active participation in decision-making over the
course of care.
Appointments To schedule an appointment for your child with
a member of the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department at The Children's
Hospital at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 216/444-9000, or
(toll-free) 800/223-2273, ext. 49000.
Pediatric Gastroenterology Team
All physicians on our team treat children with the full spectrum
of gastrointestinal problems. Physicians in our three-year pediatric
gastroenterology fellowship program have already completed their
training in general pediatrics and work directly with staff .
