Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that studies the digestive system and its disorders. The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract, a series of organs that help the body break down and absorb food.
The organs in the digestive system include:
- Mouth
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine (colon, rectum, anus)
Because pediatric gastrointestinal problems often differ from those seen in adults, it's important that a child sees the appropriate physician.
Virtua provides pediatric gastroenterologists who evaluate and treat infants, children and adolescents who have gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders. These disorders include:
- Lactose intolerance
- Food allergies
- Abdominal pain
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease
- Chronic liver disorders
- Feeding disorders
- Celiac disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Vomitting
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
Virtua's pediatric gastroenterologists have the technology to diagnose these disorders. Technologies and diagnostic procedures include:
- Endoscopy
- Biopsy
- Colonoscopy