Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
Expert Diagnosis and Treatment at Baystate Children's Hospital
It’s normal for kids to complain about upset tummies, and many children are picky eaters. Most of the time, these problems take care of themselves. But what should you do if you think your child might have a more serious digestive problem?
You can rely on our experts in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition to find the source of your child’s discomfort. Baystate Children’s Hospital offers western Massachusetts’ most complete range of services in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive problems in children.
Children's Digestive Problems We Treat
We diagnose and treat the following conditions:
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Celiac disease
- Chronic vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea
- Eating disorders
- Esophageal disorders
- Feeding disorders
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Infant colic
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
- Intestinal motility disturbances
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Lactose intolerance
- Liver disorders
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Pancreatic disorders
- Poor growth
- Short bowel syndrome
Your Child's Gastroenterology Care Team
Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment to perform diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures safely in even the smallest babies in the Baystate Children’s Hospital Procedure Unit.
We provide expert diagnosis and high-quality care for your child’s digestive condition, thanks to a team that includes:
- Board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists
- Feeding specialists
- Medical assistants
- Pediatric anesthesiologists
- Psychologists
- Registered dietitians
- Registered nurses
- Social workers
Inflammatory bowel diseases are conditions affecting the intestines or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is responsible for food digestion, absorption of nutrients, and waste elimination. Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects 1.4 million people in the United States.
Most patients with symptoms are diagnosed and begin treatment at a young age when their parents are mostly responsible for managing their care. However, it is important that patients learn to take ownership of their own health care. Baystate Pediatric Gastroenterology offers the IBD Transition Clinic to help pediatric patients successfully transition to adult care.
The transition clinic is a shared group meeting that includes: a pediatric gastroenterologist, adult gastroenterologist, social worker, psychologist, nutritionist, nurse, and other IBD patients.
Each patient in the group meets privately with the pediatric gastroenterologist first to go over your medical history and any current issues you may be having. Everyone then participates in the shared group meeting to discuss how to successfully transition to adult managed specialty care.
Topics include:
- Managing your care when away from home
- Scheduling appointments
- Managing medications
- Importance of a 504 plan (504 plans help individuals with special health care needs)
- Dorm living with IBD
- Relationships and your IBD
- Differences in medical expectations for the pediatric – youth – adult patient
At the end of the group meeting you receive an informational packet with written information.
Meetings are held at the Baystate Children’s Specialty Center, 50 Wason Avenue, Springfield. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 413-794-KIDS.
Learn About IBS in Kids from a Baystate Expert
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