The Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition division is nationally and internationally recognized for excellent patient care and pioneering research into chronic liver diseases, pediatric nutrition, motility disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease. It also has an excellent long-term track record for graft survival and patient outcomes in patients undergoing liver transplant.
Services
The division sees many patients with diverse types of problems — from generally healthy children burdened with common problems such as GERD, chronic abdominal pain or constipation that can significantly disrupt their development, family life, and ability to function well at school, to chronic, life-threatening diseases that require complex diagnostic workups and long-term management.
We have distinct multidisciplinary clinics that care for our more complex patients, including the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center that follows over 250 patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and the chronic liver disease and transplant clinic.
The Gastrointestinal Motility Center is one of only a handful of centers in the country that provides the full spectrum of diagnostic testing for patients with GI motility disorders. The intestinal rehabilitation program treats infants and children with short bowel syndrome or other causes of intestinal failure, many of whom require home administration of long-term total parenteral nutrition. The intestinal rehabilitation staff of the GI division reviews all inpatients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital who are on parenteral nutrition weekly.
Our division works closely with a dedicated team of pediatric specialists and allied health professionals, including pediatric psychologists, nurses, dietitians, speech pathologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists both on the inpatient rounds and with links to our outpatient clinics. These are key ancillary personnel who enhance our quality of patient care.
Our service has continued to grow. We have reached a 44% market share for pediatric gastroenterology in the St. Louis region, which is more significant than any other area provider, increasing our quality and patient satisfaction. We look forward to continued growth and quality improvement.