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Gastroenterology (GI)
There’s no place like CHOC for the diagnosis and treatment of children with gastrointestinal illnesses and diseases. Our gastroenterology team is committed to offering patients the very latest treatments in an environment dedicated to patient- and family-centered care.
Our physicians and other health care professionals are specially trained to treat pediatric gastroenterology patients and work closely with each child’s care team to create the best treatment plan possible. This team includes the patient, parent or guardian, subspecialist and primary care provider. Each patient’s unique treatment plan takes into consideration the child’s present and future medical and emotional needs, the family’s preferences, as well as social and ethnic considerations.
A Team Approach to Hope and Healing
Gastroenterology is the medical specialty dealing with digestive illnesses and diseases, including problems with the esophagus and stomach, liver and pancreas, small intestine and colon (large intestine). Because we specialize in pediatric gastroenterology, we are able to provide our patients with the most innovative, comprehensive and clinically advanced care available. Improving a child’s quality of life and making it possible for them to participate in school and family activities as quickly and as much as possible are always an important goal for our treatment teams.
What We Treat
Helping kids feel better, grow and thrive is our passion. Our gastroenterologists team with patients, their families, referring physicians and other members of each child’s health care team to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal illness and disease using the very latest diagnostic tools and clinical research. We treat a full spectrum of gastrointestinal illnesses and diseases including:
Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions
- Difficulty swallowing / dysphagia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Esophageal varicies
- Esophagitis
- Esophageal achalasia
- Heartburn
- Feeding disorders
- Peptic ulcers
- Pyloric stenosis
- Intestinal malrotation and volvulus
- Meckel’s diverticulum
- Celiac disease
- Gastroparesis
- Gastroschisis
- Gastritis
- Intestinal dysmotility
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions
- Anorectal malformation
- Constipation
- Encopresis
- Hirschsprung’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Intestinal/Colonic Atresia
- Anal fissures
- Ascites
- Rectal bleeding
- Hemorrhoids
- Intestinal polyps
- Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases
Liver Disorders
- Biliary atresia
- Hepatitis
- Autoimmune liver disease
- Liver disease
- Liver enlargement
- Liver failure
- Metabolic liver disease
- Fatty liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Jaundice
- Cholestasis
- Portal hypertension
- Gall bladder disease
- Wilson’s disease.
Common Childhood Gastrointestinal Problems
- Colic
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Food allergies
- Lactose intolerance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fecal incontinence
- Excessive burping or passing gas
- Unexplained functional abdominal pain.
Nutritional Problems and Deficiencies
- Failure to thrive
- Growth failure
- Unexplained weight loss
- Parenteral nutrition (TPN)
- Enteral nutrition
- Disaccharide intolerance
- Short bowel syndrome
- Malnutrition and other nutrition problems
- Malabsorption.
Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pancreatitis.
Telehealth appointments are available.
Please call our Patient Access Center at 888-770-2462 to make an appointment.
State-of-the-art Diagnostics
Some patients may need to undergo an extensive diagnostic evaluation beyond a physical examination and medical history. These tests can laboratory tests, imaging tests, and/or endoscopic procedures. At CHOC we are proud to feature a wide array of some of the most advanced diagnostics available. Learn more about gastrointestinal disorder diagnostics at CHOC.
Nutritional Support Services
Proper nutrition is very important in the treatment of children with many gastrointestinal disorders and to ensure children grow and develop as they should in spite of their conditions. CHOC patients may be referred to our dedicated gastroenterology dietitian who is specially trained to provide diet and nutrition counseling, as well as support for children receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), nutrition through a feeding tube and those whose family are interested in providing their child a blenderized diet for feeding tube feedings.
Innovative Programs, Specialized Expertise
Gastroenterology Locations
15725 E Whittier Blvd, #300 | Whittier, CA 90603 | Appointments: 888-770-2462
Building: CHOC Clinic | 1201 W. La Veta Ave. | Orange, CA 92868 | 888-770-2462