Treating Young Patients with Digestive and Liver Diseases and Disorders
At The Children’s Hospital New Orleans, our multidisciplinary gastroenterology,
hepatology, and nutrition team goes the extra mile to ensure we meet the
needs of young children facing a full range of digestive and liver diseases,
and nutritional problems. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans has a digestive condition,
and yet often the symptoms are ignored and left untreated which only leads
to further discomfort and potentially life-threatening complications.
This is especially true in children who may suffer from problems like
failure to gain weight, malnutrition and dehydration, and constipation.
Our child-friendly, family-focused, and board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists
are highly trained specialists and work as a cohesive, multidisciplinary
team alongside other pediatric specialists, dietitians, radiologists,
pharmacists, and others to facilitate evaluation and treatment. Many of
our physicians specialize in a particular area of the digestive tract,
providing our patients with in-depth knowledge and understanding of their
conditions.
We also understand how to care for wiggly, curious children who might also
have a fear of the hospital and be facing significant emotional distress.
We are here to soothe both their fears and yours, as their parent. All
tests and procedures are done in a kid-friendly environment where patience
and compassion are key to ensuring the best possible experiences so our
young patients feel comfortable in a nurturing environment.
Conditions and diagnoses
Most gastrointestinal and liver diseases are quite complex yet have subtle
symptoms with unknown causes. These diseases may be inherited or can develop
as a result of factors like stress, fatigue, or diet. With our world-class
technology and integrated team approach, parents can rely on extraordinary
patient care for their children.
Gastric reflux test (pH and multichannel Intraluminal Impedance test)
Gastrointestinal test (Upper GI)
Liver biopsy
Polypectomy
Stool collection
What parents can expect
Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about your child’s eating
and dietary habits as well as their voiding (bathroom) habits. Our specialists
will also designate a benchmark for your child’s height, weight,
and body mass index (BMI) so we can track their growth and development
over subsequent visits. Most patients leave the office with “homework,”
which may include keeping a food journal. Children may also need to go
for additional testing such as blood work in our pediatric laboratory,
or for imaging studies like CT or MRI scans.
