Gastroenterology

Pediatric gastroenterology (GI) doctors at Studer Family Children’s Hospital deliver advanced digestive health care for children.

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Pediatric gastroenterologist at Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, talking with a child.

Digestive health care at Studer Family Children’s Hospital

Stomachaches and digestive conditions can be painful and keep your child from enjoying school and everyday activities. If your child is having ongoing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, weight loss or problems gaining weight, swallowing or eating, start by talking with your child’s pediatrician. Sometimes, these can be signs of a more severe condition that needs diagnosis and treatment by a pediatric gastroenterologist (GI doctor). If your child needs more advanced care, talk with a pediatric GI doctor at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart in Northwest Florida.

Our experienced pediatric GI doctors are specially trained in diagnosing and caring for infants, children and teens with GI diseases and disorders. Our goal is to determine the cause of your child’s symptoms and develop a care plan that helps provide relief.

When you choose Studer Family Children’s Hospital, your family is connected to a team of doctors who are dedicated to caring for children. Your child’s care team may include GI doctors, nurses, dietitians, speech and feeding specialists, child life specialists and social workers. We start by listening to you and your child. Then, we create a personalized care plan that’s right for your child and family.

Care for common and complex digestive health conditions

Experienced doctors at Studer Family Children’s Hospital care for digestive system disease and conditions, including:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Celiac disease
  • Colitis
  • Constipation
  • Crohn's disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE)
  • Esophagitis
  • Feeding aversion
  • Food allergies
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Short bowel syndrome

Affiliated with University of Florida Health

Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart and UF Health, home of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, bring together multidisciplinary teams of highly specialized doctors who are at the forefront of the latest research and clinical trials, and diagnostic, surgical and technological developments. This means your child and family are connected to some of the most advanced pediatric specialty care.

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Diagnostic tests and procedures for pediatric GI conditions

Dad holding his daughter's hand who is in a hospital bed.At your child’s first visit, we listen to your concerns and discuss your child’s health history. Then, your child will have a physical exam. Your child’s doctor may also recommend diagnostic tests, such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, blood tests, stool tests, urine tests, breath tests, X-ray, ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs, and more.

Your doctor explains your child’s diagnosis and procedures, answers your questions and works with you to create a personalized care plan. Many care plans include a combination of diet changes, medication, or surgery.

Minimally invasive treatments for GI conditions

Whenever possible, pediatric GI doctors use therapeutic or minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat conditions. With this type of procedure, your child may have a shorter recovery. These procedures include endoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), biopsy, polypectomy (polyp removal), dilatation of strictures and more.

If a procedure is recommended as part of your child’s care plan, have confidence knowing you are connected to leading pediatric surgical care at Studer Family Children’s Hospital. Pediatric anesthesiologists are part of our care team and specialize in anesthesia for even the tiniest patients. And child life specialists help make your child feel calm and comfortable before surgery. We take the time to explain the procedure to you and to your child in a way they understand. Knowing what to expect can help reduce stress.

Multidisciplinary care for children with irritable bowel disease

The Irritable Bowel Disease Clinic at Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, provides advanced care for children with irritable bowel disease (IBD). Our goal is to help reduce the impact this condition has on your child’s daily life and help them enjoy everyday activities. At the Irritable Bowel Disease Clinic, we take a multispecialty approach to care. That means your child's GI doctor collaborates with a dietitian to create an individualized care plan for your child.

If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or dial 911.

Gastroenterology