Gastroenterology

Contents

• About the Division
• Clinical Programs
• Research Programs
• Training Programs
• Specialty Lab Services Offered
• Related Links
• Related Services
• Contact List

About the Division

The program of Gastroenterology at Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center is a group of multidisciplinary professionals who are dedicated to the care and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas in children.

Clinical Programs

The Gastroenterology Divison provides excellent care in the areas of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), malabsorption disorders (problems with digestion or absorption of nutrients), acute and chronic liver disease (hepatitis), liver and intestine transplantation, pancreatic insufficiency, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and nutrition evaluation and management.

For appointments, please call: Central Scheduling (206) 987-2521 option 1

Research Programs

Our research programs center on the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of children and adolescents with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Current topics of focus include therapy trials for viral hepatitis, acute liver failure, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. We also have ongoing research in the area of liver transplantation and immune activity in maternal micochimerism in inflammatory bowel disease and biliary atresia. Many of these studies are being performed in collaboration with other centers around the United States.

Training Programs

The fellowship program for the division is currently under development. Additional information will follow shortly.

Fellowship Director:
Dr. Karen Murray
karen.murray@seattlechildrens.org

Specialty Lab Services Offered

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

• Upper intestinal endoscopy commonly known as EGD – an exam of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
• Colonoscopy – an exam of the colon and lower part of the small intestine lining
• Tissue biopsy of the large and small intestine – a small tissue sample is taken from the lining of the esophagus, stomach, small or large intestine using an endoscope
• Endoscopic interventional procedures:
  • Endoscopic feeding tube placement
  • Foreign object removal
  • Widening a narrow part of esophagus (esophageal dilation)
  • Polyp removal
  • Treating gastrointestinal bleeding
• Capsule endoscopy – a patient swallows a tiny pill that allows doctors to see images of the intestinal tract
• ERCP – a specialized endoscopic test that evaluates the connecting tubes of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. This is done for both testing and treatment.

pH Probe Monitoring

• A 24–hour test using a small, soft tube inserted through the nose that measures the amount of acid reflux in the esophagus.

Liver Biopsy

A tissue sample is taken from the liver to evaluate acute and chronic liver diseases.

Motility Testing

• Esophageal manometry – a procedure to determine how well the muscle of the esophagus works.
• Anorectal manometry – a procedure to evaluate the function of the lower intestine, used to diagnose the cause of chronic constipation or fecal incontinenece.

Related Links

• Gastroenterology Department at Children's Hospital

Related Services

• General Surgery
• Transplantation

Contact List