Pediatric Gastroenterology

Children’s Digestive Disease Treatment in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

Our specialists treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver. We also provide evidence-based therapies for children’s feeding and nutritional disorders.

At UMass Memorial Health – Children’s Medical Center, your child’s team includes expert pediatric gastroenterologists with the highest level of training. We provide the latest tests and treatments designed for the needs of children’s growing bodies.

Pediatric Gastrointestinal Conditions We Treat

Our experience and expertise allow us to treat the full range of children’s digestive diseases and challenges, including:

Autoimmune Digestive Disorders

Digestive diseases in children can be complex, often involving other body systems, such as their immune system. We work closely with allergists, geneticists and immunologists to manage these conditions, which include: 

• Celiac disease
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Digestive Discomfort and Motility Problems

When your child’s digestion isn’t running smoothly, it can interfere with their well-being. Our specialists provide a thorough workup to determine the cause of:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fecal incontinence
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Nausea 

Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders

Our specialists treat conditions affecting your child’s esophagus or ability to swallow, including:

• Achalasia
• Congenital (present at birth) digestive tract issues such as esophageal atresia
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)

Feeding and Nutrition Disorders

Experts in our Feeding and Nutrition Clinics care for children with feeding, eating and nutritional issues. Compassionate, highly trained specialists treat conditions like failure to thrive, picky eating, obesity and eating disorders. Learn more about our Feeding Clinic and Nutrition Clinic.

Liver and Pancreatic Diseases

Pediatric liver and pancreatic diseases are often complex and require the expertise of an experienced pediatric gastroenterology team. We provide the highest level of care for these conditions, which include:

•    Acute and chronic pancreatitis
•    Congenital liver and pancreatic conditions
•    Hepatitis
•    Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
•    Pancreatic tumors

Gastrointestinal Services We Provide

Our team provides a customized approach to pediatric gastroenterology care. We get to know you and your child before deciding on a treatment plan, which may include:

Dietary and Nutrition Guidance

Children with GI conditions often benefit from diet changes and nutritional therapies. Our experts customize a plan that fits your child’s unique health needs and tastes.

Medications

Experienced pediatric gastroenterologists prescribe medications to treat digestive issues and provide symptom relief. Our team creates a personalized medication plan to help your child feel better while minimizing side effects. We also provide specialized medications, such as infusions of biologic medications to treat pediatric IBD.

Feeding Tube Management

Feeding tubes such as pediatric gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) can help children get the calories, nutrition and medications they need. After our skilled surgeons and anesthesiologists have placed the tube, we guide you through daily care and maintenance. Our feeding specialists show you how to clean and replace the tube and answer your questions.

Endoscopy Procedures

Endoscopy procedures use a thin, lighted tube and camera to see inside the digestive tract without surgery. Our gastroenterologists have specialized training in performing upper endoscopies and colonoscopies in young patients. We partner with pediatric anesthesiologists, who help relieve pain and keep your child relaxed and comfortable from start to finish.