Pediatric Gastroenterology

The digestive system consists of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The medical field that studies these organs and the diseases affecting them is known as gastroenterology. Pediatric gastroenterology focuses on diagnosing and treating all digestive system disorders in children from birth up to 18 years of age.

Among the most common symptoms of gastrointestinal problems in children are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, jaundice, and loss of appetite. During routine check-ups after birth, parents should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist whenever they notice any of these symptoms. As in all diseases, early diagnosis plays a crucial role in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in children and helps prevent future complications.

Pediatric gastroenterologists also provide guidance regarding children’s nutritional habits. In addition to preventing diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies or dietary imbalances, procedures such as endoscopy or gastroscopy may be performed when necessary. These imaging-based diagnostic methods are essential tools in both diagnosis and treatment planning.

Which Diseases Are Treated in Pediatric Gastroenterology?

Constipation

Constipation is a very common condition among children. It often manifests with abdominal pain and loss of appetite and may, in some cases, lead to hemorrhoids due to straining. Although constipation does not always have an underlying medical cause, in certain cases it may be linked to conditions such as hypothyroidism, calcium imbalance, or celiac disease. It can also appear during the transition from infancy to toilet training, particularly when training begins before the child is emotionally or physically ready.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is also frequent among children like constipation. When bowel movements become more frequent than what is considered normal for the child’s age, a medical consultation is recommended. Acute diarrhea, often caused by dehydration, may resolve within 3–4 days. However, chronic diarrhea, which may last up to 14 days, can result from dehydration, electrolyte loss, nutritional deficiencies, or infections such as otitis media, urinary tract infection, or meningitis. If symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, or bloating occur, parents should promptly seek medical attention to identify the underlying cause and begin treatment accordingly.

Reflux

Reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus or mouth. The acid can irritate or damage the tissues it comes into contact with. Since children are fed more frequently than adults, it is quite natural for reflux to occur at an early age. Signs may include poor weight gain, irritability before or after meals, discomfort during feeding, bad breath, snoring, mouth breathing, hoarseness, enlarged adenoids, and dental problems. However, these symptoms can vary from one child to another.

Jaundice

Although commonly associated with liver inflammation, jaundice may have several other causes. Neonatal jaundice, which typically appears within the first month after birth, is common and usually harmless. However, when jaundice lasts longer than two weeks, or if it results from liver or blood disorders, further investigation by a pediatric gastroenterologist is necessary. To prevent liver-related jaundice, children are given hepatitis A and B vaccines immediately after birth, which has significantly reduced the number of hepatitis-related cases in children.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a disorder of the digestive system in which the immune system damages the small intestine when the individual consumes foods containing gluten. Although factors such as stress or infection triggers may contribute, the condition is primarily genetic. It is observed that children who are breastfed for longer periods tend to develop symptoms later than others. The disease manifests differently among individuals but can occur in both children and adults. Common symptoms include chronic diarrhea, foul-smelling stools, weight loss, anemia, abdominal pain, short stature, growth retardation, behavioral changes, and dental problems. Measuring the level of antibodies against gluten in the blood is a diagnostic method, while small intestine biopsy is considered the definitive diagnosis.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition caused by the inability to digest lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency of the lactase enzyme. It affects approximately one in ten individuals. This condition, found not only in milk and dairy products but also in breast milk, presents with symptoms such as gas, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and bloating, typically appearing within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming lactose-containing foods. Although the hydrogen breath test is a standard diagnostic tool, it is not commonly used in infants. In babies, diagnosis is usually based on the presence of lactose in the stool or by testing the acidity of the stool sample.