Pediatric Digestive Health

Feeding and swallowing disorders

A wide variety of conditions can make it difficult for your child to nurse, chew, swallow, or even eat certain foods. They include digestive system conditions, nervous system disorders, respiratory conditions, heart disease, muscle weakness, and more. Feeding and swallowing disorders can put kids at risk for nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, respiratory infections, and other health concerns.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

This chronic condition affects the stomach and intestines which can result in belly pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Triggers may include stress or eating certain foods. This condition is different than irritable bowel disease, which can have more severe symptoms.

Autoimmune hepatitis

The immune system attacks the liver, which can cause pain and other symptoms. Over time, untreated autoimmune hepatitis can lead to liver damage.

Eosinophilic esophagitis

White blood cells build up in the lining of the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This can cause pain, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty feeding in infants and children.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Conditions that can cause swelling and inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like belly pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Examples include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Children with IBD may also experience slower-than-expected growth rates.

Pancreatic diseases

These conditions may cause inflammation, damage, or dysfunction of the pancreas, an organ that that releases chemicals that help digestion. Pancreatic diseases can either be acute (sudden and temporary) or chronic (occurring constantly or frequently over time).

Celiac disease

Eating gluten — a protein found in wheat and some other cereal grains — triggers an immune reaction that can damage the small intestine and make it less able to absorb nutrients over time.

Gallstones

Small stones made of hardened digestive fluid (bile) form in the gallbladder, where they can cause pain or blockages.

Malabsorption

Several conditions can make it more difficult for the body to absorb nutrients from food, which can result in indigestion and malnourishment even if your child is eating a healthy diet.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Excess fat builds up in the liver, gradually leading to chronic inflammation and liver damage. This condition is also sometimes called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Short bowel syndrome

Part of the small intestine is missing or damaged, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The muscles that control the opening between the esophagus and the stomach are too weak to stop stomach acid and other contents from flowing backward, which can cause heartburn and damage the esophagus over time.

Intestinal polyps

Small clumps of tissue that form in the lining of the small or large intestine (colon).

Peptic ulcer disease

Ulcers that develop in the stomach or first part of the small intestine (duodenum) due to a breakdown in the protective lining of the digestive tract.

Endoscopy

Doctors use a special camera attached to the end of a thin and flexible tube called an endoscope to examine your child’s digestive tract. Endoscopy may also be used to guide minimally invasive procedures, such as collecting tissue samples (biopsies) for testing.

• In an upper endoscopy, doctors insert the endoscope through the mouth to examine the upper digestive tract, including the throat, esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (duodenum)
• In a lower endoscopy, doctors use an endoscope to examine the lowest part of the digestive tract, including the rectum and colon

Capsule endoscopy

A camera is placed on a small capsule that your child swallows. This allows it to take pictures throughout the entire digestive system — including the small intestine, which is difficult to reach through traditional endoscopy.

Impedance probe

Doctors use a thin tube with sensors to see if stomach acid or non-acid reflux (such as food and liquid) are flowing backward into your child’s esophagus.

Intestinal biopsy

Doctors use an endoscope to examine the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) and collect several tissue samples. This can confirm a diagnosis for celiac disease or other conditions.

Gastronomy tube (G-tube) feeding

Doctors insert a feeding tube through your child’s belly so you can deliver nutritious food and any necessary medications directly to their stomach. The G-tube can stay in place for as long as it is necessary for your child. Some children only require it temporarily, for example while recovering from a surgery or curable condition. Others may need it permanently if there is no other way for a child to get sufficient nutrition through eating.

IB-STIM

This is a small electric device worn behind a child’s ear that generates gentle electrical pulses to reduce pain signals sent from the digestive tract to the brain. It can help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Intestinal dilation

During an endoscopy procedure, doctors may use a soft, inflatable balloon to widen portions of the small or large intestine that have become narrowed or blocked.