Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition - Pediatric
When your child is facing a nutritional, gastrointestinal or liver problem, Kentucky Children’s Hospital’s department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has the expertise you need for peace of mind.
Our team of providers offers comprehensive care, including diagnosis and treatment, for pediatric and adolescent patients with gastrointestinal or liver disease. A multidisciplinary team with specialized expertise will put together a personalized care plan based on your child’s individual needs.
Led by a doctor with advanced education in children’s gastroenterology, a team of nurses, nutritionists and counselors will use innovative technology and therapies to diagnose and treat your child, as well as offer advice on lifestyle changes that may help to manage or treat your child’s disorder.
Gastroenterology Specialties
Our team is here to guide your child and your family through every facet of care, from diagnosis through recovery. We are skilled at diagnosing and treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Acute/chronic liver disease
- Allergic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
- Celiac disease
- Chronic diarrhea
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Dysphagia/swallowing disorders
- Encopresis
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Esophageal stricture
- Fatty liver disease
- Functional gastrointestinal disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Gastroparesis
- Hepatitis (acute and chronic)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal polyps
- Malnutrition (including failure to thrive)
- Nutritional disorders
- Pancreatitis (acute and chronic)
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Poor weight gain
- Reflux/heartburn
- Short bowel syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- Vomiting
Treatment for these conditions may involve a variety of therapies and often includes specialized care from a dietitian. Our dietitians are highly involved in patient care, even if dietary changes are not the only form of treatment your child needs.
Specialty Clinics and Programs
Our years of expertise have allowed us to develop specialty clinics and programs in many areas of gastrointestinal and liver disease. These programs include our Children’s Aerodigestive Team and Services (UK CATS), an Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) Clinic, ImproveCareNow (an inflammatory bowel disease consortium) and an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Transition Clinic.
In addition to these programs, we also maintain specialty expertise in diseases of the pancreas, bowel management/constipation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is sometimes called obesity-associated liver disease. We’re also involved in clinical trials related to the use of gene therapy to treat phenylketonuria.
Why Choose Kentucky Children’s Hospital for Gastroenterology?
As Kentucky’s leading children’s hospital, we strive for excellence in research, clinical care and education. Through advanced diagnostics and treatment options, we are able to provide the highest level of individualized, family-centered care for each child.
Our providers are nationally recognized for their expertise and research in pediatric gastroenterology.
Suzanna Attia, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics, is involved in research into the prevention of childhood malnutrition and works in coordination with Samir Softic, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics, on projects related to global child health and NAFLD, respectively.
Troy Gibbons, MD, gastroenterologist and professor of pediatrics, has established a database related to eosinophilic esophagitis. Sylvia Ofei, MD, MPH, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics, is the site leader of ImproveCareNow, an international quality and research consortium related to inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Ofei is a member of the Professional Development Committee of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, while Dr. Softic serves as a member of the organization’s Research Committee. Dr. Fuchs is a member of the National Institutes of Health’s Food Allergy and Clinical Guidelines Committee, as well as the Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Working Group for US. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals. He is also a member of the Committee on Nutrition for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Editorial Board for the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Additionally, several of our physicians specializing in pediatric gastroenterology have been listed as some of the Best Doctors in America. The department as a whole was recognized with the UK HealthCare Quality and Safety “Rising Star” Award in 2016.
Learn how to prepare for your child's MRE procedure
Download the booklet below to help your child prepare for their magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) procedure.
Watch the video below to learn what to expect at your child's MRE procedure.
