At King’s College Hospital Dubai, our gastroenterologists treat a wide range of conditions and diseases of the digestive system that affect children.
What are Gastroenterology (GI) problems in Children?
These include conditions affecting the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
Pediatric GI problems that we can diagnose and treat include:
- Abdominal pain: a common problem that can be caused by a number of other conditions
- Allergic conditions
- Anal fissures
- Coeliac disease: intolerance to gluten which causes inflammation of the small intestine with symptoms including: diarrhoea, constipation, anaemia, fatigue and weight loss.
- Constipation: this can be caused by a number of other conditions including Hirschsprung’s disease, low thyroid function and calcium imbalance.
- Feeding problems
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux: this is a common condition in babies and children, when stomach acid comes back up the oesophagus leading to problems including heartburn and nausea. It can also be associated with a dairy allergy.
- Giardia: inflammation of the intestines (gastroenteritis) due to infection by the Giardia lamblia parasite.
- Gut infections
- Infant colic
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Also commonly known as (IBD) involves the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, colon or large bowel; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main forms of IBD.
- Lactose intolerance
- Liver and pancreatic problems
- Peptic ulcers: frequently caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, these ulcers develop in the stomach or intestine.
- Sucrose intolerance
- Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders
How are children’s gastroenterology problems diagnosed?
Our gastroenterologists use the latest techniques to diagnose gastroenterology problems. These include blood tests, faeces tests, hydrogen (H2) breath tests, pH and impedance studies, sweat tests and in some cases endoscopy. In some cases, we may need to take a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) that can be analysed in the laboratory to find the cause of a problem. However the diagnosis is undertaken we make every effort to make the experience as easy as possible for the child.
How are they treated?
Doctors at King’s College Hospital, Dubai offer well-researched and proven treatments for Pediatric Gastroenterology problems including:
- Abdominal ultrasound – an imaging test that’s used to look at organs in the abdomen including the pancreas, gall bladder, kidneys and liver
- CT and MRI scans – imaging tests to examine the bowel, liver and pancreas
- Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy – a test to look at the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum)
- Ileo-colonoscopy – the use of endoscopy (a thin flexible tube) to examine the bowel and colon
- Enteroscopy >– the use of an endoscopy (a thin flexible tube) to examine the small bowel
- Wireless capsule endoscopy – a capsule the size of a small pill that contains a tiny camera which takes pictures of the digestive system
- Endoscopic anti-reflux procedures – used instead of surgery to treat reflux problems
- Oesophageal Dilatation – a procedure that stretches open a narrowing that is preventing food and drink passing through the oesophagus
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) – where a thin tube is passed through the abdominal wall into the stomach to feed the child when normal feeding isn’t possible
- Polypectomy – the removal of polyps (harmless growths) from the inside lining of the colon
- Video-fluoroscopy – an X-ray that looks at how you swallow
If you would like to know more about the gastroenterology treatments we provide, please get in touch. Our clinics consultants have a wealth of knowledge of the gastric conditions that affect children. Contact us for further information or to arrange an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists at our Dubai and Abu Dhabi medical centres.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
