Advanced Pediatric Gastroenterology Care
Pediatric Gastroenterology is a subspecialty of medicine that deals with disorders of children’s digestive systems. At RWJBarnabas Health, we treat conditions of both the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract and nutritional disorders in newborns, children, adolescents and young adults. GI disorders can prevent the proper absorption of nutrients, affecting children’s growth, development, weight gain and loss, and behavior.
Comprehensive Pediatric Gastroenterology Services
Our teams of pediatric gastroenterologists and staff throughout New Jersey offer complete diagnostic testing, consultation, treatment, and follow-up care for children with GI disorders. Compassionate physicians who are board certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology diagnose and treat disorders including unexplained bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic abdominal pain, feeding problems, acute and chronic liver disease, chronic constipation and diarrhea.
Family-Focused Care
When you turn to us for the digestive health needs of your child, you are choosing a vast health care system that is more than just compassionate. We are family-focused. You’ll be met with the compassion, integrity and regard for your children and family that sets us apart from other New Jersey pediatric health care providers.
We strive to provide care that is safe, effective and respectful of the dignity and individuality of your child and family.
For children who require surgery, Child Life specialists are available as a comforting and informed resource for your family. They can tell your child what they can expect during their hospital stay and help make it a more positive experience.
Multidisciplinary, State-of-the-Art Evaluation and Treatment
Some children with complex gastrointestinal problems may require the expertise of a variety of pediatric specialists in fields other than gastroenterology.
In partnership with Rutgers Health, RWJBarnabas Health offers access to the latest technology and a wealth of expertise in every pediatric specialty including radiology, anesthesiology, endocrinology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology and urology. Whenever necessary, specialists from across the spectrum of care will work together to meet the needs of our young patients.
Meet Our Pediatric Gastroenterology Team
GI Conditions We Treat
Gastroenterologists at RWJBarnbas Health facilities are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of common pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.
Common Digestive Disorders
- Blood in the stool
- Celiac disease
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Chronic diarrhea
- Colic
- Constipation
- Crohn's disease
- Cyclical vomiting syndrome
- Encopresis
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
- Feeding difficulties
- Food allergies
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Intestinal polyps
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Rumination
- Ulcerative colitis
Liver Disorders
We diagnose and treat pediatric liver disorders such as:
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Fatty liver
- Infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, and C)
- Jaundice
- Metabolic liver disease (such as Wilson's, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency)
- Portal hypertension
We also provide pre- and post-liver transplant care at facilities throughout New Jersey.
Nutritional Disorders
When it comes to the nutritional disorders we diagnose and treat, we help pediatric patients with:
- Failure to thrive (poor weight gain)
- Feeding disabilities leading to the need for tube feedings
- Lactose intolerance
- Obesity
- Pancreatic insufficiency
Tests and Procedures to Diagnose and Treat Digestive Disorders
Our pediatric gastroenterologists provide a variety of testing and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to patients with gastrointestinal disorders. We use technologies such as fiber optics, endoscopic ultrasound and lasers to ensure high accuracy and minimally invasive procedures, including:
- Anorectal manometry (ARM)
- Biologic infusions such as Remicade, Entivio, Stelara
- Breath testing for sugar intolerance (lactose, fructose, sucrose)
- Capsule endoscopy (pillcam)
- Colonoscopy
- Control of intestinal bleeding (cauterizing, variceal banding)
- Fecal disimpaction
- Functional luminal impedance probe (FLIP)
- Gastric tube placement (PEG)
- Impedance monitoring
- Liver biopsy
- Opening of intestinal narrowings (stricture dilation)
- pH probe monitoring (traditional and wireless)
- Removal of polyps (polypectomy)
- Upper GI endoscopy (EGD)
Most digestive diseases are very complex, with subtle symptoms, and the causes of many remain unknown. They may be inherited or develop from multiple factors such as stress, fatigue, diet or smoking. But with world-class technology and our integrated, multidisciplinary network of doctors and surgeons, we provide extraordinary patient care for your child.