What we treat
The UT Physicians pediatric gastroenterology team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of digestive and liver disorders that affect children from infancy through adolescence.
Children’s digestive systems present unique challenges and require specialized care. The pediatric gastroenterology team is equipped to handle common conditions, such as chronic abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, growth problems, infantile colic, and milk protein intolerance, as well as complex disorders, such as short bowel syndrome and liver transplantation.
Our approach
Treating pediatric gastrointestinal disorders requires not only medical expertise but also patience and a child-centered approach. Care is guided by the latest medical advancements and delivered with gentle, age-appropriate support.
The team treats a wide range of childhood disorders, from those seen in infancy, such as infantile colic, esophageal reflux, and constipation, to those in older children and adolescents, such as abdominal pain, disorders of gut-brain interaction, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and eosinophilic esophagitis. The program includes active liver treatment and evaluation services and participates in ImproveCareNow, an international quality improvement initiative for children with IBD.
Treatment options
In conjunction with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, UT Physicians offers children and adolescents access to nationally recognized medical experts and leading-edge medical care in a compassionate environment. Pediatric gastroenterologists and collaborating providers perform many procedures, usually with anesthesiology support:
- Endoscopy procedures, including EGD (to examine the esophagus and stomach), colonoscopy (to view the colon), and capsule endoscopy (a small camera pill that images the small intestine)
- Esophageal pH-impedance and Bravo probe testing to evaluate acid reflux and how well the esophagus clears the stomach acid
- Breath hydrogen analysis, which is a noninvasive test to detect lactose intolerance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and other digestive issues
- Percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy placement, which places feeding tubes for children who need long-term nutritional support
- Polyp and foreign body removal to safely remove growths or objects that have been swallowed
- Therapeutic endoscopy, including ERCP (for bile and pancreatic ducts), double balloon endoscopy (to reach deep into the small intestine), and endoscopic ultrasound (for detailed imaging of digestive organs)
- Rectal suction biopsy, used primarily to assess the presence and function of nerve cells in the rectal wall, as well as to evaluate other disorders affecting bowel motility or muscle function
- Esophageal and anorectal manometry, which are tests that measure how well the muscles in the esophagus and rectum are working
- Botulinum toxin injection for relaxing muscles in gastric and anal motility disorders, such as gastroparesis and anal sphincter achalasia
- Liver biopsy to diagnose or monitor liver disease
- Variceal band ligation and sclerotherapy, used to stop or prevent bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach caused by portal hypertension, a complication of certain liver diseases that increases pressure in the vein leading to the liver
- Endoscopic pancreatic stimulation testing to assess how well the pancreas is functioning
A state-of-the-art infusion center is available for children who require therapies such as iron infusions or biologic treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.
Additionally, our specialized pediatric nutritionists guide and manage nutritional needs for a variety of conditions including milk protein allergy, slow weight gain, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, liver disease, tube feeding dependence, and intravenous (parenteral) nutrition dependence.
When to seek care
Knowing when to consult a pediatric gastroenterologist can be challenging for parents. While occasional stomach troubles are normal for children, certain symptoms warrant specialized attention.
The pediatric gastroenterology team is here to help identify when digestive issues might indicate something requiring evaluation. Families are encouraged to reach out to us whenever they have concerns about their child’s digestive health.
