Pediatric Gastroenterology

Pediatric Gastroenterology describes the medical discipline dealing with the diagnosis and treatments of children usually up to the age of 18, who have illnesses in the digestive system, liver diseases, gallbladder and pancreas diseases and nutrition problems.

Gastroenterology focuses on all the diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract (also known as the 'digestive tract'), which includes all organs from our mouth to anus inside our body. Gastroenterologists master the knowledge of how the body digests food, absorbs nutrients and then how the wastes are then removed from our system. They are required to treat ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, colitis, colon polyps, cancer of the bowels, heartburn, and other illnesses of the digestive system.

Pediatric gastroenterologists treat children of all ages who suffer from problems related to the digestive system or liver as well as nutrition-related conditions. These doctors spend extra time learning how to handle the needs of youthful patients of all ages starting from birth.

Gastroenterology Pediatrics Disease Video

When dealing with these children, there are additional diseases and conditions to diagnose and then treat that are unique to the younger ages. These can include infant eating disorders, dysphagiaA medical term describing the symptom or condition of difficulty in swallowing. and feeding disorders, coeliac disease, growth damage, food allergies, chronic bowl infections (such as crohn and ulcerative colitis), intestinal failure, cystic fibrosis, general pediatric GI, reflux disease and even obesity.

A pediatric gastroenterologist differs from a regular gastroenterologist in that they complete two full residencies, in oppose to the one residency of gastroenterologists. The pediatric gastroenterologist will complete a 3 year pediatric residency and after that will have another 3 year residency in gastroenterology and hepatology, which deals with diseases that affect the liver.

A pediatric gastroenterologist will often be required to perform different types of invasive surgery or checkups on children, depending on the disease affecting the young patient. These can include procedures such as a digestive system endoscopy, a pH probeThe pH probe is a small plastic tube with a sensor device on the end. The probe will be left in the esophagus, just above the stomach, for about 24 hours to measure the amount of acid. for reflux, a colonoscopyAn endoscopic examination of the colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a small camera placed on a flexible tube that is passed through the anus (Source: Wikipedia)., a liver biopsy and more.

Pediatric Gastroenterology Abroad

If your child is suffering from an intestinal disease and surgery is being considered, TicketMed will be happy to assist you with an expert pediatric gastroenterologist opinion, in addition to scheduling treatments for the child, if needed. Contact us or ask for a quote.