Pediatric Gastroenterology
What is pediatric gastroenterology?
Pediatric gastroenterology, or pediatric GI, is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating and managing conditions that affect a child’s digestive system. Pediatric gastroenterologists specialize in treating the unique needs of children and can help them manage and treat symptoms, improve digestion and support healthy growth and nutrition.
Tests and Procedures to Check Digestive Health
Our team of expert providers will guide you and your child to the right test or digestive procedure to diagnose or manage their condition. These may include:
- Anorectal manometry
- Esophageal manometry
- Bravo pH monitoring
- Capsule endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Esophageal manometry
- Impedance/pH monitoring
- Lactose, fructose and small bowel bacterial overgrowth breath testing
- Percutaneous liver biopsy
- Suction rectal biopsy
- Upper GI endoscopy
Conditions We Treat
Your child’s gastroenterology care team specializes in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Aero-digestive issues
- Anorectal malformations
- Biliary atresia
- Celiac disease
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Diarrhea
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Eosinophilic/allergic GI diseases
- Feeding issues
- Foreign body ingestion
- Gall bladder diseases
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- GI bleeding
- Hepatitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Jaundice
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Rare illnesses involving the GI tract
- Recurrent abdominal pain
- Short bowel syndrome/intestinal failure
- Ulcerative colitis
- Vomiting
When to See a Pediatric GI Doctor
Your child’s pediatrician can treat mild digestive issues, but for chronic concerns like stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, you may be referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist. They also specialize in managing conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease and food allergies.
Working Together for Your Child’s Care
You and your child will be supported by a network of providers trained in multiple subspecialties who will work together to deliver comprehensive care. We’re committed to providing your child the highest quality treatment through outpatient consultations, procedures and inpatient care.
Digestive Disease Center
At the Digestive Disease Center, your child has access to advanced technology for diagnosing and treating digestive conditions. Located at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center and connected to OSF Children’s Hospital, we provide expert care when you need it.
Advancing Care for Children with Digestive Issues
Your child will receive advanced care from a team of pediatric specialists dedicated to offering the latest treatments and innovative solutions for their digestive condition. Through partnerships with organizations across the country, we’re committed to bringing the highest level of care to your child.
ImproveCareNow
Through the ImproveCareNow (ICN) network, our team has access to cutting-edge research and treatment protocols for a variety of GI conditions that will benefit your child. OSF HealthCare is the only center in downstate Illinois participating in this network of top children’s hospitals focused on improving care for children with inflammatory bowel disease.
Research
Your child will have access to the latest medical advancements as we work to stay at the forefront of pediatric gastroenterology and improve outcomes for kids. Our team continually participates in local and national research projects aimed at advancing care for children with digestive conditions.
We currently have several clinical trials for pediatric patients with specific gastrointestinal conditions, including:
- U-ASTOUND& U-EMPOWER
These studies are focused on evaluating the medication Upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for children and teenagers aged 2–17 with moderate to severe Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease. The goal is to assess the safety and effectiveness in improving symptoms for patients who have not responded well to other biologic treatments. - R-ALLY& TEN-01-202
These studies explore Tenapanor for children and teens aged 6–17 with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C).
For more information on these studies, please visit clinicaltrials.gov or reach out to Drewann Whalen for additional details.
