Pediatric Gastroenterology is one of the major subspeciaity of Pediatrics, which specialises in management of diseases of the gut, liver, pancreas and nutritional abnormalities. The various diseases that come under the speciality are usually chronic and evolving conditions and at times requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Pediatric gastroenterology department at ASTER MIMS, Calicut deals with the diagnosis and treatment of following conditions in children of age group from newborn to 17 years.
- All functional GI disorders like constipation, dyspepsia, functional abdominal pain, eating disorders.
- All causes of nutrition and growth issues like failure to thrive, malabsorption syndromes like cystic fibrosis, celiac disease.
- Swallowing disorders and feeding issues especially in neurologically impaired children.
- Chronic diarrhoea, protein-losing enteropathies.
- Allergic and eosinophilic diseases of the gut including cow’s milk protein allergy of infancy (CMPA).
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Caustic ingestion and foreign bodies.
- Various causes of both upper and lower GI bleed like esophgeal varices, polyps.
- All luminal GI diseases including achalasia and other motor disorders and infections.
- Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn´s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- All causes of Pediatric cholestatic liver disease, metabolic liver disorders and genetic conditions affecting the liver.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, acute and chronic hepatitis.
- Gall bladder diseases like gallstones.
- All causes of acute and chronic pancreatitis.
- All types of enteral nutrition solutions for children are provided for acute and chronic conditions.
The department also provides various endoscopy services for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes as mentioned below
Diagnostic: Upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and flex sigmoidoscopy.
Therapeutic: Foreign body removal, stricture dilatation, achalasia balloon dilatation, variceal bleed management, polypectomy and Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement including Low profile G tube placement, Nasojejunal tube placement.
Motility studies: Oesophageal manometry, anorectal manometry.
It works closely with the adult gastroenterology team in certain interventional endoscopy procedures like ERCP and stent placement for pancreatic diseases.
FAQs
Want to find out more about the treatment? The answer to your questions can be found below.
Who is a Paediatrician?
A paediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children upto 14 years. Paediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens, and young adults.
How often should my child see the paediatrician?
Your child should not only see the paediatrician for an illness. It is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. Also called well-care visits or check-ups, these routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the doctor to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines are extremely safe and serious side effects are rare. Almost all sickness or discomfort after vaccination is minor and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or mild fever.
Who is a paediatric gastroenterologist & hepatologist, and what do they do?
A paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to the liver, digestive system, and nutrition in young patients. They treat complicated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, liver failure, and malabsorption syndromes by employing cutting-edge diagnostic methods and paediatric-specific treatment plans.
What question should you ask a paediatric gastroenterologist & hepatologist?
When you are visiting a paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, inquire about the prognosis, probable adverse effects, available treatments, and long-term care plans. Find more about dietary guidelines, the need for close observation, and how the illness may affect your child's general growth and health.
What are the most common types of conditions that paediatric gastroenterologists & hepatologists treat?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), liver illnesses (hepatitis, biliary atresia), celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and functional gastrointestinal disorders are among the common problems addressed. Paediatric gastroenterologists and hepatologists Aster MIMS also treat paediatric patients' complicated eating problems and nutritional deficits.
What is the role of a paediatric gastroenterologist & hepatologist in a patient's treatment?
The responsibilities of paediatric gastroenterologists and hepatologists in Calicut at Aster MIMS include the thorough assessment, identification, and treatment of hepatic and gastrointestinal conditions. To provide comprehensive and ongoing care, they organise multidisciplinary care, personalise treatment programmes, track the course of diseases, and offer patients and family continuing education and support.
How should I prepare for my first visit to a paediatric gastroenterologist & hepatologist?
Get ready by gathering a thorough medical history that includes past diagnoses, treatments, and symptoms. Bring any pertinent medical records and a list of your current prescriptions. Make a note of any eating habits or issues. Asking the right questions and talking to others about your child's behaviour and health will help ensure a complete review.
What Does a Paediatrician Do?
They're also the first person to call whenever your child is sick., your paediatrician will:
- Do physical exams
- Give your child vaccinations
- Make sure they meet milestones in growth, behaviour, and skills
- Diagnose and treat your child's illnesses, infections, injuries, and other health problems
- Give you information about your child's health, safety, nutrition, and fitness needs
Why is immunization important for a child's health?
Immunization is a simple and effective way of protecting children from serious diseases. Vaccines work by triggering the immune system to fight against certain diseases. If a vaccinated person comes in contact with these diseases, their immune system is able to respond more effectively, preventing the disease.
Why should I come to Aster MIMS hospital for Paediatric treatment?
Aster MIMS Hospital has a wide range of paediatric services and treatments that are available under one roof. We believe that children deserve to be treated with understanding and care and to receive the highest quality health care. Aster Mims is specifically designed to take care of the whole child through a family-centred approach to medicine.
When should I consider seeing a paediatric gastroenterologist & hepatologist?
If your kid has recurrent diarrhoea, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, development delays, or chronic gut pain, you should consider visiting a paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist in Calicut at Aster MIMS. Conditions that require specialised treatment and management, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, and celiac disease, necessitate early evaluation.
Will a paediatric gastroenterologist & hepatologist help manage side effects during treatment?
Indeed, paediatric gastroenterologists and hepatologists in Calicut at Aster MIMS are essential in treating therapeutic adverse effects. To lessen side effects, they modify prescriptions, provide supportive therapy, and offer dietary advice. Their all-encompassing strategy guarantees the best possible patient comfort and treatment plan compliance.
What digestive system conditions do paediatric gastroenterologists & hepatologists attend to?
A paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Aster MIMS treats a variety of digestive system problems, such as esophagitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, and intestinal motility issues. They use sophisticated imaging methods and endoscopic treatments to diagnose and treat these disorders accurately.
What advancements or technologies are utilised by paediatric gastroenterologists & hepatologists?
Paediatric gastroenterologists and hepatologists at Aster MIMS make use of innovations like elastography to detect liver stiffness, high-resolution endoscopes, capsule endoscopy, and genetic testing to check for hereditary disorders. By increasing treatment precision and diagnostic accuracy, these technologies improve patient outcomes and make less invasive therapies possible.
