Abdominal pain and stomachaches are common in children and can be due to underlying medical conditions or emotional distress. They can also have no known cause. Recurrent abdominal pain is a specific diagnosis that includes at least three episodes of unexplained abdominal pain in three months that interfere with normal activities.

Swallowing and breathing are complex functions that require coordinated movements in your throat to prevent food and liquids from entering your airway. Aerodigestive disorders affect your child’s ability to breathe or swallow. They are common in babies and young children.

Celiac disease is an immune response to gluten that can damage the lining of your child’s small intestine. This damage can interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, leading to slow growth and weak bones.

Constipation is a condition in which your child has hard stools that are difficult to pass. Usually, constipation is temporary and treatable with medications or dietary changes. Less often, constipation may be a sign of a nutritional issue or a more serious condition of the GI tract, liver or pancreas.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition diagnosed in childhood. It causes mucus in the body to become thick and sticky. The buildup of mucus can affect many organs, particularly the lungs and pancreas.

GERD is a digestive condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This stomach acid irritates the lining of the esophagus and can cause heartburn, indigestion, vomiting or refusal to eat.

IBD includes two conditions — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — that cause inflammation in the GI tract. IBD is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your child’s immune system attacks cells in their digestive tract.

Nutrition supports growth and development. Failure to thrive is a term providers use when a child does not gain weight as they should. It may be caused by an inability to digest food or absorb nutrients or not eating the right types of food.

Children with obesity have an increased risk of obesity in adulthood. They may also be more likely to develop heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. An unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the main causes of obesity in children and adults.

We may recommend various laboratory and imaging tests to provide more information about your child’s diagnosis or to rule out other conditions. We also offer endoscopic tests to diagnose and treat GI conditions. In these procedures, your child’s provider inserts a thin tube with a camera at the end (endoscope) into your child’s digestive tract through their mouth (upper endoscopy) or anus (colonoscopy).

Using the camera and small tools passed through the endoscope, your child’s provider can look inside their gastrointestinal tract, collect tissue samples (biopsies) and perform treatments. At Golisano Children’s Hospital, we perform these procedures in our state-of-the-art endoscopic suite. Your child will receive anesthesia or sedation to ensure they are comfortable.

Medications are an effective treatment for many GI conditions and an active area of research and development. When new medications become available, you’ll find them at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Some common categories of medications we use include:

• Acid reducers for acid reflux
• Anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing drugs for inflammatory bowel disease
• Stool softeners and laxatives for constipation

Our gastroenterologists have extensive expertise in endoscopic treatments for pediatric GI conditions. They perform advanced procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ECRP) and endoscopic polypectomy, in Golisano Children’s Hospital’s dedicated endoscopy suite.

Endoscopic procedures are used to:

• Break up gallstones
• Open narrowed passageways
• Remove cysts or growths
• Stop internal bleeding

Our pediatric anesthesiologists offer a full range of anesthesia and sedation services for endoscopic procedures.

Some GI diseases can affect your child’s ability to break down food or absorb nutrients. If your provider is concerned about your child’s nutritional status, our GI nutritionist can work with you to recommend foods and supplements to keep your child healthy.

Most pediatric GI conditions can be treated with medications and endoscopic procedures. Surgery is usually reserved for complex or advanced inflammatory bowel disease. When necessary, our pediatric gastroenterologists partner with experienced pediatric surgeons and anesthesiologists at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Together, we coordinate care so your child gets what they need before, during and after surgery.

The Aerodigestive Clinic combines the expertise of pediatric gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, ENT specialists and speech language pathologists to care for children with aerodigestive disorders. Your child receives comprehensive assessment and treatment based on input from the entire team. We coordinate appointments so your child can see the specialists they need in one visit.

Our Weight Management Clinic is a program designed to help children with obesity lose weight. A team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nutritionists, social workers and psychologists works with your child and family to ensure a holistic approach to care. Through regular visits with our team, you and your child receive:

• Nutrition counseling
• Advice on how your child can be more active
• Guidance on how to develop lifelong habits to stay healthy
• Ongoing monitoring of your child’s progress
• Screening for conditions that often go along with being overweight, such as sleep apnea, liver disease and orthopedic conditions
• Social support and counseling as needed

Our medical teams are sensitive to your child’s needs and your concerns as a parent. If your child or family needs extra help, our social workers, psychologists and Child Life specialists are ready to step in with the support you need. These professionals can help manage emotional stress, prepare your child for medical tests and procedures, and connect your family to resources.