Solutions for Tummy Troubles

Bellyaches are very common in children. In fact, most kids will experience at least one during their childhood and adolescence. Although stomachaches aren’t generally serious and resolve on their own, children may need specialized treatment for persistent tummy troubles.

Pediatric gastroenterologists are the specialists to turn to for chronic gastrointestinal (GI) problems in children. Read on to learn what they do and when you should consider seeing one for your child’s digestive issues.

What Is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist

A pediatric gastroenterologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of conditions that affect the digestive system in children. Pediatric gastroenterologists complete residency training programs in both pediatrics and digestive care, making them experts in the diagnosis and treatment of GI issues in infants, children and adolescents.

What Conditions Do Pediatric Gastroenterologists Treat?

Gastroenterologists treat conditions that affect any part of the digestive system, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach and small and large intestine. They also treat disorders of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. Some specific conditions that a child may see a pediatric gastroenterologist for include:

• Abdominal pain
• Alagille syndrome
• Appendicitis
• Chronic constipation
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Chronic diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Eating disorders
• Esophagitis
• Failure to thrive
• Food allergies
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gastroparesis
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Liver disease
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Short bowel syndrome

What Are the Treatment Options for Gastrointestinal Problems in Children?

Treatment options for gastrointestinal problems in children depend on the cause and severity of symptoms, as well as a child’s individual medical history, family medical history and other factors. As Natasha Mendez, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Broward Health explains, “Every child has unique needs, which is why we take an individualized approach to digestive care.”

Some common treatments for digestive issues in children include the following.

Medication

Medication is the first-line treatment for some pediatric digestive issues, such as chronic heartburn caused by GERD. Because medications can cause side effects, pediatric gastroenterologists and patients’ parents weigh the benefits and risks of available drugs together carefully to select the right course of treatment.

Multidisciplinary Treatment

In some cases, children with gastrointestinal issues may benefit from surgical procedures and other interventions that require medical care from additional specialists. Children treated by the pediatric gastroenterology team at Broward Health enjoy full access to a wide range of specialists, so they can receive care close to home.

“Broward Health is home to nearly every pediatric subspecialty,” says Dyadin Esharif, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Broward Health. “That makes it easy to partner with pediatric surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric neurologists and others to give children with digestive conditions the high-level, well-rounded care they need.”

Culinary Medicine

For many digestive issues, making changes to a child’s diet is an important part of treatment. The pediatric gastroenterology team at Broward Health often employs culinary medicine when developing digestive care plans. This evidence-based field redefines food as medicine and combines nutrition with culinary knowledge to help patients and their families make informed decisions about food and prepare healthy meals at home.

“We partner with patients to improve health outcomes through a healthier diet,” explains Debora Duro, M.D., M.S., program director of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition. “Patients and their families receive nutritional education and develop culinary skills to help them understand the benefits of certain foods and elevate their dietary quality.”

Parents of children who often receive pediatric gastroenterology care at Broward get tips on how to read food labels, identify ingredients that may trigger digestive symptoms and cook meals that align with prescribed eating plans. This support helps to make modifying a child’s diet easier for the whole family.

Specialty Treatments

Pediatric gastroenterology patients at Broward Health have access to many specialty treatments for specific conditions. One example is the Florida Intestinal Rehabilitation Support and Treatment (FIRST) program for children. Dr. Duro pioneered this program to provide nutritional support for children with short bowel syndrome in order to reduce their need for intestinal transplant surgery.

When to See a Pediatric Gastroenterologist

If your child experiences frequent bellyaches or their stomachache has lasted for more than a few days, talk to their primary care provider about whether it may be time to see a pediatric gastroenterologist at Broward Health.

Our team can discuss your child’s symptoms with you, perform an examination, order necessary tests and make a diagnosis. Then, a pediatric gastroenterologist will work with you to develop the right treatment plan to manage your child’s symptoms and support their digestive health.

Pediatric gastroenterologists at Broward Health can help children experiencing a wide range of conditions. Describing the department, Dr. Mendez says, “We have the training and expertise to treat inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, food allergies, liver conditions and more.”

To learn more about pediatric gastroenterology at Broward Health, visit www.browardhealth.org/pediatric-gastroenterology.