Pediatricians who are gastro-hepatologists are pediatricians who specialize in handling various kinds of complaints related to the digestive tract of children, from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, to the large intestine. This subspecialist doctor also treats disorders of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas of children.
To become a pediatric gastro-hepatologist, a general practitioner must continue his study of a specialist doctor education program in the field of pediatrics in order to obtain the title of Pediatrician (Sp.A). After that, his studies continued to become a sub-specialty that deepens the science of the digestive system and children's liver.
Diseases Treated by Pediatricians Gastro-Hepatologists
Pediatricians who are gastro-hepatologists have in-depth knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver of children. Diseases that are generally treated by this subspecialist doctor include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- stomach ulcer
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Inflammation of the gut, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Hepatitis
- Hepatoblastoma
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome
- cystic fibrosis
- Pancreatitis
- Gallstones and pancreatic stones
- Accumulation of fluid in the pancreas
- Intestinal polyps
- celiac disease
- Hirschsprung's disease
In addition to the above diseases, pediatric gastro-hepatologists also treat bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, lactose intolerance, food allergies, food malabsorption, eating disorders, and birth defects involving the digestive tract and liver.
Actions Performed by Pediatrician Gastro-Hepatologist
In addition to going through a medical history and physical examination, pediatric gastro-hepatologists are also trained to perform various medical procedures to diagnose and treat problems in the digestive tract and liver of children.
Some of the medical procedures that pediatric gastro-hepatologists perform include:
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, to examine the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a camera tube
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which is an endoscopic procedure to examine disorders of the pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder
- endoscope ultrasound, which is an endoscopic procedure accompanied by ultrasound technology to see the condition of the digestive tract tissue or the liver and pancreas system
- Enteroscopy, to check the condition of the small intestine
- Colonoscopy, which is a procedure performed to examine the large intestine and rectum
In addition, pediatricians who are gastro-hepatologists are also responsible for evaluating the suitability of organs before the child undergoes a liver transplant.
When Should You See a Pediatrician, a Gastro-Hepatologist?
You are advised to consult a pediatrician, a gastro-hepatologist if your child has complaints in the form of:
- No bowel movements at all 2 days after birth
- Vomiting green and yellow liquid, or vomit containing blood
- Dehydration with reduced frequency of urination, dry lips, and lethargy, due to diarrhea that does not go away
- Stomach pain that is unbearable to the point of being cranky
- Decreased appetite and drastic weight loss
- Chest pain or cough with a history of acid reflux
- Difficulty swallowing for no apparent reason
- Disturbance in bowel patterns
- Yellowing of the skin and sclera (white part of the eye)
- Pale stools or bloody stools
Before taking your child to a pediatrician, a gastro-hepatologist, you should record all the symptoms and complaints experienced by your child. This will make it easier for the doctor to diagnose the illness your little one is suffering from.
Tell also about the history of pregnancy and childbirth, growth status, medicines consumed, and completeness of immunizations.
The thing you need to remember, do not delay the time to take your little one to the pediatrician, a gastro-hepatologist if he experiences the complaints mentioned above. If detected as early as possible, your child's illness can be faster and easier to treat.
