Conditions & Treatments

The pediatric gastroenterologist professionals at Brenner are experts in the care and treatment of intestinal and liver disorders in children of all ages, from infants to young adults. We have expertise in the treatment of multiple conditions and perform all types of procedures on pediatric patients each day. The leading pediatric gastroenterology department in the region, we help our patients get better through diagnosis, treatment, surgery, follow-up care and preventative medicine.

We provide individualized, customized treatments for each child we see and work closely with our patients and their families to ensure a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment process.

Conditions & Treatments

Abdominal pain – pain felt between the chest and groin that may be a symptom of an intestinal condition, such as gastroenteritis, Crohn’s disease, colitis, hernia or a peptic ulcer

Celiac disease –an inherited disease in which the small intestine’s lining becomes damaged from the ingestion of proteins found in wheat, barley, rye and other foods

Cirrhosis – scarring of the liver and weakened liver function due to chronic liver disease; symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, nosebleeds, pale/clay-colored stools and jaundiced skin

Colic – uncontrolled crying and fussing in a baby; this condition typically disappears by the time a baby is 3 to 4 months old, but can last as long as a year

Constipation and encopresis – constipation is difficulty and/or pain in passing stools; encopresis is the soiling of a child’s underwear with loose or formed stool due to constipation

Crohn’s disease – an inflammatory disease of the intestines that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting or weight loss

Cyclic vomiting syndrome – severe nausea and vomiting that may last for days; this syndrome has no known cause but may be related to migraines

Cystic Fibrosis – an inherited, chronic lung disease that can cause thick and sticky mucus to appear in a child’s lungs and digestive track and can lead to poor growth and limited weight gain.

Diarrhea – multiple liquid bowel movements that may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances

Dyspepsia – the medical term for an upset stomach or indigestion

Dysphagia – difficulty in swallowing food and/or liquids

Failure to thrive – a term used to describe children who do not achieve standard weight and height growth

Esophagitis – inflammation, irritation or swelling of the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach

Gastrointestinal bleeding – the loss of blood in the gastrointestinal track, commonly diagnosed through the observation of blood in the stool

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD – an intestinal condition in which the contents of the stomach, including food and liquid, travel into the esophagus from the stomach, causing irritation, heartburn and other symptoms

Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection, liver damage, the body’s immune cells attacking the liver or the overuse of certain medications, such as acetaminophen

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a condition that affects the lower intestinal tract, causing abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements

Metabolic syndrome – a set of risk factors that increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes; metabolic syndrome may be due to kidney disease, but is typically due to being overweight

Obesity – children that are extremely overweight are at risk for a number of health problems, including diabetes

Pancreatitis –inflammation or infection of the pancreas, the gland behind the stomach that helps with digestion, causing severe abdominal pain

Peptic ulcers – ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, commonly caused by an infection, Helicobacter pylori

Short bowel syndrome – a condition caused when nutrients are not correctly absorbed by the body due to either intestinal disease or the surgical removal of the small intestine; this condition typically does not develop unless a child has lost over 2/3 of his or her small intestine

Stenosis of the rectum/anus – a narrowing of the rectal area