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Gastroenterology (GI)

There’s no place like CHOC Children’s for the diagnosis and treatment of children with gastrointestinal illnesses and diseases. Our gastroenterology team is committed to offering patients the very latest treatments in an environment dedicated to patient- and family-centered care.

Our physicians and other health care professionals are specially trained to treat pediatric gastroenterology patients and work closely with each child’s care team to create the best treatment plan possible. This team includes the patient, parent or guardian, subspecialist and primary care provider. Each patient’s unique treatment plan takes into consideration the child’s present and future medical and emotional needs, the family’s preferences, as well as social and ethnic considerations.

A Team Approach to Hope and Healing

Gastroenterology is the medical specialty dealing with digestive illnesses and diseases, including problems with the esophagus and stomach, liver and pancreas, small intestine and colon (large intestine). Because we specialize in pediatric gastroenterology, we are able to provide our patients with the most innovative, comprehensive and clinically advanced care available. Improving a child’s quality of life and making it possible for them to participate in school and family activities as quickly and as much as possible are always an important goal for our treatment teams.

What We Treat

Helping kids feel better, grow and thrive is our passion. Our gastroenterologists team with patients, their families, referring physicians and other members of each child’s health care team to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal illness and disease using the very latest diagnostic tools and clinical research. We treat a full spectrum of gastrointestinal illnesses and diseases including:

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions

Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions

Constipation
Encopresis
Hirschsprung’s disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Anal fissures
Ascites
Rectal bleeding
Hemorrhoids
Intestinal polyps
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
Gastrointestinal bleeding.

Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases

Liver Disorders

Biliary atresia
Hepatitis
Autoimmune liver disease
Liver disease
Liver enlargement
Liver failure
Metabolic liver disease
Fatty liver disease
Cirrhosis
Jaundice
Cholestasis
Portal hypertension
Gall bladder disease
Wilson’s disease.

Common Childhood Gastrointestinal Problems

Colic
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Food allergies
Lactose intolerance
Nausea and vomiting
Fecal incontinence
Excessive burping or passing gas
Unexplained functional abdominal pain.

Nutritional Problems and Deficiencies

Failure to thrive
Growth failure
Unexplained weight loss
Parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Enteral nutrition
Disaccharide intolerance
Short bowel syndrome
Malnutrition and other nutrition problems
Malabsorption.

Pancreatic Diseases

Pancreatic insufficiency
Cystic fibrosis
Pancreatitis.

Integrated Specialists

At CHOC Children’s, we understand that treating painful or worrisome gastrointestinal disorders requires the talents of more than our expert gastroenterologists. We have a dietitian and psychologist who work exclusively with our gastroenterology patients. They provide our patients the dietary, emotional and psychosocial support they need to cope with their symptoms and ultimately find relief.

Gastroenterology team giving young child physical exam

State-of-the-art Diagnostics

Some patients may need to undergo an extensive diagnostic evaluation beyond a physical examination and medical history. These tests can laboratory tests, imaging tests, and/or endoscopic procedures. At CHOC Children’s we are proud to feature a wide array of some of the most advanced diagnostics available. Learn more about gastrointestinal disorder diagnostics at CHOC.

Nutritional Support Services

Clinical dietitian giving young girl lessons in good nutrition

Proper nutrition is very important in the treatment of children with many gastrointestinal disorders and to ensure children grow and develop as they should in spite of their conditions. CHOC Children’s patients may be referred to our dedicated gastroenterology dietitian who is specially trained to provide diet and nutrition counseling, as well as support for children receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), nutrition through a feeding tube and those whose family are interested in providing their child a blenderized diet for feeding tube feedings.

Innovative Programs, Specialized Expertise

Colorectal / Bowel Management Program

The CHOC Children’s Colorectal / Bowel Management Program brings together the expertise of our renowned pediatric gastroenterologists and surgeons who together work with patients and their families to develop short- and long-term care plans that include surgical interventions and follow-up care. Learn more about the Colorectal / Bowel Management Program.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinic

The CHOC Children’s Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Clinic features a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterology specialists and allergy and immunology experts that diagnose and treat EoE in children of all ages. Learn more about the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinic.

Functional Abdominal Pain Program

The CHOC Children’s Functional Abdominal Pain Program specializes in working with patients and families to find ways to treat pain related functional gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and functional abdominal pain syndrome. Learn more about the Functional Abdominal Pain Program.

Gastrointestinal Motility Program

The specialists at the CHOC Children’s Gastrointestinal Motility Program provide patients and their families a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Learn more about the Gastrointestinal Motility Program.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program

The pediatric gastroenterology experts at CHOC Children’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program use advanced diagnostics and the latest, evidence-based research to diagnose and create personalized treatment plans designed to help patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis live their lives to the fullest. Learn more about the IBD Program.

Intestinal Rehabilitation Program

The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at CHOC Children’s provides coordinated gastrointestinal and nutritional care for children of all ages who have been diagnosed with intestinal failure related to a variety of conditions. We provide multidisciplinary care, support and guidance for children with gastrointestinal disorders receiving specialized nutrition or intravenous nutrition (total parenteral nutrition or TPN). Learn more about the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program.

Multidisciplinary Feeding Program

Our world-class Multidisciplinary Feeding Program includes expert outpatient evaluation and consultation and an exclusive 19-day intensive inpatient feeding therapy program. Learn more about the Multidisciplinary Feeding Program.

Cystic Fibrosis Center

As part of the CHOC Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Center, our gastroenterologists partner with CHOC's pulmonologists and other specialists to treat the medical problems associated with cystic fibrosis. Our convenient program allows for patients to visit all of their cystic fibrosis team specialists at the same appointment and for the cystic fibrosis team to partner together to develop long- and short-term treatment plans for patients. Learn more about the Cystic Fibrosis Center.

Aerodigestive Program

The CHOC Children’s Aerodigestive Program brings together pediatric specialists in otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat), gastroenterology, pulmonology and speech/swallow therapy to care for children with disorders involving the airway and digestive system.

Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The Center for Autism provides families with access to a team of experts in the field of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders and provides assessment, diagnosis, care coordination, family support and education for children with autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Our gastroenterologists proudly provide care to children at the center. Learn more about the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

From our Experts

Kids and Stomach Aches
All children get tummy aches from time to time. Learn what is normal and when stomach aches may be a sign of something more serious from Dr. Mitchell Katz.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
Learn the symptoms of EoE and how it is treated.

Kids and Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common problem in children of all ages. Learn the best ways to treat diarrhea and when it is time to contact your child’s doctor.

Treating Feeding Disorders
CHOC Children’s is a national leader in the treatment of complex feeding disorders, offering patients and their families a positive, holistic treatment approach.