If your child has a digestive system, liver or nutritional problem, a pediatric gastroenterologist has the expertise to treat them. When problems like these affect a child, they're often are quite different than when seen in adults. Specialized training and experience in pediatric gastroenterology are important.
Pediatric gastroenterologists treat children from the newborn period through the teen years. They choose to make pediatric care the core of their medical practice, which provides extensive experience specifically in the care of infants, children and teens.
What kind of training do pediatric gastroenterologists have?
Pediatric gastroenterologists are medical doctors who have had training that includes:
At least 4 years of medical school
Three years of pediatric residency training
Three years of additional training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition, including medical research and treatment of infants, children and teens with digestive, liver and nutrition-related disorders
Certification in pediatrics from the American Board of Pediatrics, and in gastroenterology and nutrition from the American Board of Pediatrics Sub-board in Pediatric Gastroenterology
What types of treatments do pediatric gastroenterologists provide?
Pediatric gastroenterologists generally provide treatment for the following:
Pediatric gastroenterologists are specially trained to perform diagnostic tests of a child's digestive system. Special instruments, such as endoscopes, are used to examine the inside of the digestive tract or get tissue samples (biopsies). Endoscopic procedures pediatric gastroenterologists perform include esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.
Pediatric gastroenterologists also treat bleeding, swallowing problems or other problems encountered in the intestines. They have extensive expertise in managing nutritional problems in children, including placement and management of feeding tubes and intravenous (IV) nutrition and diagnosing and treating infants, children and teens with liver disease.
Where can I find a pediatric gastroenterologist?
Pediatric gastroenterologists practice in a variety of medical settings including children's hospitals, university medical centers, and large community hospitals, as well as private offices or private practices. You can search for pediatric gastroenterologists in your area
here.
Pediatric gastroenterologists: the best care for infants, children and teens
Children are not just small adults. Their bodies are growing and have unique medical needs. They usually express their concerns differently than adults. They cannot always answer medical questions and are not always able to be patient and cooperative. Pediatric gastroenterologists know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative.
Pediatric gastroenterologists focus on problems unique to kids, including growth, maturation, physical and emotional development and age-related social issues. Most pediatric gastroenterologist offices are arranged and decorated with children in mind.
If your pediatrician suggests that your child see a pediatric gastroenterologist, you can be assured that your child will receive the best possible care.
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