Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital
Stomachaches and digestive problems can prevent your child from functioning normally and enjoying everyday activities. Talk with your child’s pediatrician if your child is having ongoing digestive concerns, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss or is unable to gain weight, bloating, swallowing concerns or trouble eating. 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, your child’s primary care provider can connect you with a pediatric GI doctor at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
Pediatric GI doctors have additional training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. Our board certified pediatric gastroenterologists specialize in the diagnosis and management of complex gastrointestinal disease and nutritional disorders in children. We start by listening to understand your child and their symptoms. Then, we work with you to create a personalized care plan that provides relief.
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Care for simple and complex digestive health conditions
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Conditions treated in Indianapolis
- Abdominal pain
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Constipation and defecation disorders
- Chronic diarrhea
- Dysphagia and eating difficulties
- Esophagitis and eosinophilic esophagitis (an immune system disorder that leads to difficulty swallowing)
- Food allergies and nutrition disorders
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Liver and gallbladder disease
- Obesity
- Pancreatic disorders
- Weight loss and growth concerns
- Other digestive conditions
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Conditions treated in Evansville
- Abdominal pain
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Constipation and defecation disorders
- Chronic diarrhea
- Dysphagia and eating difficulties
- Esophagitis and eosinophilic esophagitis (an immune system disorder that leads to difficulty swallowing)
- Food allergies and nutrition disorders
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Liver and gallbladder disease
- Nutritional disorders related to gastrointestinal disease
- Obesity
- Pancreatic disorders
- Weight loss and growth concerns
When you choose Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, your family is connected to a team of pediatric specialists. Your child’s care team may include GI doctors, hepatologists (liver doctors), nurses, dietitians, speech and feeding specialists, psychologists, child life specialists and social workers.
Diagnosing pediatric GI conditions
Your child’s doctor starts by listening to you and your child. Together, we discuss your child’s concerns and health history. Then, your child will have a physical exam. If needed, your child’s doctor may recommend diagnostic tests, such as lab testing, endoscopy, colonoscopy, small bowel capsule endoscopy, pH impedance testing or other testing. By better understanding your child’s health, we create a personalized care plan that is right for your child. Care plans typically include dietary changes, medications or both.
Advanced treatments and surgical care for GI conditions
We understand that tests and procedures can feel scary for your child and your family. Tell us your concerns and ask us your questions — big and small. Your child’s care team takes the time to explain needed tests or procedures to you and your child.
Infusion therapy: For some conditions, infusion therapy may be needed. We have specially trained infusion nurses who help make your child comfortable.
Minimally invasive procedures: Many procedures can be performed using nonsurgical, minimally invasive techniques. With this type of procedure, your child may have a shorter recovery. These procedures include endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy, and polypectomy (polyp removal). Child life specialists are part of our team to help make your child feel calm and comfortable before their procedure.
Surgery: If surgery is recommended as part of your child’s care plan, have confidence knowing you are connected to our pediatric surgical care team at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. 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.
If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go to the nearest ER or call 911.