Pediatric gastroenterology

Pediatric Gastroenterology is a medical specialty that involves the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in children. This includes conditions affecting the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. Pediatric gastroenterologists also manage nutritional problems in children, including malnutrition, failure to thrive, and obesity.

Overview

Pediatric gastroenterology developed as a sub-specialty of pediatrics and gastroenterology in the 1960s. It is dedicated to treating children from the newborn period through the teen years. Pediatric gastroenterologists are specially trained to perform diagnostic tests of a child's digestive system. Special instruments, such as endoscopes, are used to examine the inside of the digestive tract or obtain tissue samples (biopsies). Endoscopic procedures pediatric gastroenterologists perform include esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.

Conditions Treated

Pediatric gastroenterologists treat a wide range of conditions including:

• Celiac Disease
• Crohn's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Peptic Ulcers
• Acute and Chronic Hepatitis
• Pancreatic Insufficiency
• Nutritional Problems
• Failure to Thrive
• Obesity

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of GI diseases often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, blood tests, stool tests, imaging studies, and endoscopic procedures. Treatment depends on the specific condition but may include dietary changes, medication, and in some cases, surgery.

See Also

• Pediatrics
• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Biopsy

References

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