Pediatric Digestive Health
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Digestive problems in children can affect much more than the stomach or intestines. Some children with complex gastrointestinal conditions also have nutritional, developmental, immune, genetic, metabolic or other medical needs. Finding the right diagnosis and treatment may require several pediatric specialists working together.
At UVA Health Children's, pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery bring together specialists from across the medical center to care for children with digestive, liver and nutritional conditions. Your child's team works together to understand the full picture of your child's health and develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs.
Our specialists include experts in:
- Pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology
- GI and pediatric surgery
- Nutrition and feeding
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Endocrinology and metabolism
- Development and rehabilitation
- Other pediatric specialties when needed
This team-based approach is especially valuable for children with complex or chronic conditions that affect multiple parts of the body.
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Our pediatric gastroenterologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive tract, liver and nutritional health, including:
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Constipation
- Chronic or recurrent diarrhea
- Celiac disease and other food-related digestive disorders
- Food allergies
- Liver disease
- Feeding and nutritional problems
- Other complex gastrointestinal conditions
When necessary, your child's care may include diagnostic testing, medications, nutritional therapy, endoscopic procedures or surgery.
Nutrition and Feeding Support
Nutrition is an important part of caring for children with digestive and chronic medical conditions. Our registered dietitians develop individualized nutrition plans based on your child's condition, growth, nutritional needs and eating habits.
Some children have difficulty eating enough food by mouth or need a feeding tube to meet their nutritional needs. Our nutrition and rehabilitation specialists help children and families manage tube feeding and, when appropriate, work toward increasing oral intake and transitioning away from tube feeding.
We care for children with feeding and nutritional needs related to gastrointestinal conditions as well as other complex conditions, including heart, lung and musculoskeletal disorders.
Pediatric Liver Transplant
Children with severe or progressive liver disease may need a liver transplant. UVA Health Children's provides specialized care before, during and after transplantation.
Our multidisciplinary transplant team includes:
- Pediatric gastroenterologists and hepatologists
- Pediatric transplant surgeons
- Critical care specialists and anesthesiologists
- Dietitians and nutrition specialists
- Advanced practice providers
- Social workers and other specialists
The team works together to evaluate children for transplant, prepare them and their families for surgery, provide care during hospitalization and monitor their health after transplant.
Learn more about our pediatric liver transplant program.
Visit our pediatric gastroenterology clinic.
Encouragement Feeding Program
For children with oral deformities or those on extended feeding tube nourishment, learning to eat normally can be unpleasant. The Encouragement Feeding Program is a two-week intensive therapy program that weans children from feeding tubes to normal, age-appropriate eating habits.
Learn More About the Program
Nationally Ranked Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
Our pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the nation. We provide family-centered care for everything from common digestive concerns to managing complex conditions.