Child’s Gastroenterologist- A Specialist in the GI Tract

Pediatric Gastroenterologist- A Specialist Role

Experts in detecting and treating gastrointestinal and nutritional issues in children are known as pediatric gastroenterologists. The oesophagus, stomach, intestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are all components of the digestive system, sometimes known as the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Pediatric gastro are medical professionals that specialise in treating children of all ages for gastrointestinal issues. Young people are not miniature versions of grownups. Their physiological and psychological requirements are unique.

A pediatric gastroenterologist is a medical professional who:

• Looks at your child’s medical history and explains how you might improve his or her digestion
• Scans the digestive system using imaging techniques including endoscopy and colonoscopy.
• Performs and analyses diagnostic procedures such as gastrointestinal function testing
• Biopsies, polyp removal, and feeding tube insertion are just some of the operations performed on the digestive system in addition to allergy testing.
• Provides diagnosis and treatment for a variety of digestive issues, including as ulcers, reflux, swallowing difficulties, bowel illnesses, motility issues, liver abnormalities, and nutritional deficiencies.

When should a child see a pediatric gastroenterologist?

A pediatric gastroenterologist is a specialist who will typically be consulted for treatment by your child’s primary doctor. The patient has been referred so that their digestive issue may be properly diagnosed and treated. A pediatric gastroenterologist, on the other hand, does not do surgery. Your kid will need to visit a surgeon if he or she requires gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.

Your kid’s pediatric gastroenterologist will advise you on whether you should keep bringing your child back to your regular doctor for follow-up treatment if he or she needs it for a digestive disease.

When is it time to visit a pediatric gastroenterologist?

If your kid develops any of the following symptoms or disorders, it may be time to see an expert pediatric gastroenterologist:

• Soiling underwear or bed linens, having bowel movements in the bathtub, or complaining of discomfort or blood with bowel movements are all signs of constipation. Avoiding bowel movements by holding in the stool (crossing legs, pressing buttocks together, or wedging buttocks against anything) is another.
• Diarrhoea accompanied by blood loss or lasting more than three weeks
• Experiencing discomfort before and relief during a bowel movement is a common complaint.
• Movements of the bowels occurring often the frequency of bowel motions (up to ten times a day) or wakefulness (up to three times a night)
• Frequent symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or the need to re-swallow food because it has been lodged in the oesophagus or stomach.
• Subpar development and weight increase
• Fluctuating between spitting and vomiting stuff like coffee grounds
• Disturbed sleep after eating certain meals; bloating, gas, or diarrhoea
• Symptoms of asthma becoming worse, include wheezing and a hoarse voice or yell
• signs of yellowing skin or eyes, fever, and/or unexplained weight loss

Exactly what does a specialist in pediatric gastroenterology do?

Conditions and disorders that a pediatric gastroenterologist addresses include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and small bowel syndrome are all examples of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses.
• Constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and excessive flatulence
• Various types of infections, such as those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Hepatitis, jaundice, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Feeding issues, malnutrition, nutrient absorption difficulties, failure to thrive, obesity, eating disorders, and food allergies and intolerances
• Appendicitis, internal bleeding, and colic
• Cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, and other pancreatic diseases
• Problems with the upper digestive tract such as acid reflux, peptic ulcers, nausea and vomiting that won’t go away, and gastroparesis (when your stomach fails to empty properly due to nerve damage

What diagnostic procedures does a pediatric gastroenterologist carry out or recommend?

Among the many diagnostic and screening procedures that may be ordered or carried out by a pediatric gastroenterologist are:

• Examining the intestines and rectal area of your kid through a colonoscopy
• Examinations and biopsies of your child’s oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and gallbladder ducts through endoscopy
• Diagnostic imaging techniques such as X-rays, barium enema, upper gastrointestinal series, ultrasounds, CT scans, virtual colonoscopies, MRI, and stomach emptying studies
• Blood tests, urine tests, faecal occult blood tests, hepatitis panels, liver function tests, H. pylori testing, and autoimmune factor tests are just a few of the many lab analyses that may be performed.
• Your youngster may also need an allergy skin prick or patch test, as well as a liver biopsy.

For what conditions does pediatric gastroenterologist care?

Pediatric gastroenterologists diagnose and treat children with gastrointestinal disorders by prescribing or executing a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A pediatric gastroenterologist, on the other hand, does not do surgery. Your child’s pediatric gastroenterologist will send you to a general surgeon or a specialist surgeon if they recommend GI surgery. A colorectal surgeon, for instance, is trained specifically to operate on the gastrointestinal tract. These are examples of common medical procedures and treatments:

Biopsies, the removal of polyps and oesophageal and intestinal dilatation, haemostasis to halt bleeding, the removal of tumours without surgery, and the insertion of drainage tubes are all examples of endoscopic operations.

Antibiotics, antiviral, H2 receptor antagonists, anti-nausea medications, anti-diarrheal pharmaceuticals, fertility therapies, enzyme therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunotherapy are all examples of such medications.

Growth hormone therapy for short bowel syndrome, weight management, dietary modification and digestive aids for food allergies and intolerances, and enteral feedings via feeding tubes or total parental nutrition (TPN) via intravenous catheters are all examples of the types of nutritional support available.

Conclusion

A physician does not need to complete further training to work in the field of pediatric gastroenterology. In any case, the degree of a doctor’s competency may be gauged by looking at their education, training, experience, and certification. Pediatric gastroenterologists with board certification showed their knowledge and skills via rigorous testing at the end of their residency. They can help your child to recover a lot quicker.