Pediatric gastroenterologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat diseases of a child’s intestinal system as well as diseases of the liver and pancreas. Pediatric gastroenterologists can perform diagnostic tests of a child’s digestive system. Special instruments, such as endoscopes, which are flexible tubes with cameras at the tip, are used to examine the inside of the digestive tract or obtain tissue samples (biopsies). Specific procedures performed by pediatric gastroenterologists include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (upper endoscopy), colonoscopy (lower endoscopy), and liver biopsy.
Pediatric gastroenterologists also treat bleeding, swallowing problems, malabsorption, and other problems encountered in the intestines. They have extensive expertise in managing nutritional problems in children, including placement and management of feeding tubes and intravenous nutrition, as well as diagnosing and treating infants, children, and teens with liver disease or pancreatic disease.
This section of the website will explain these tests and procedures, why a child may need them and what to expect.
