Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Our Services

The Division currently provides outpatient services in 10 different locations and offers comprehensive services in: general diagnostic gastroenterology, failure to thrive, feeding and swallowing, inflammatory bowel disease, lipid heart, liver disease and liver transplantation, motility and constipation, nutrition services, pancreatic disease and pediatric enteral access. The Division's team approach to care increases provider accessibility and response time for questions, concerns and follow-up. The primary care physician is viewed as a key member of the caregiver team and timely communication regarding care plans is provided to the primary care physician and patient families.

Diagnostic services

The Division offers state-of-the-art diagnostic studies in the Kohl's Gastroenterology and Nutrition Diagnostic Center. Over 4,000 procedures are performed annually and include: endoscopy, manometry, liver biopsy, hydrogen breath test, resting energy expenditures, DEXA bone density measurements and pancreatic function testing. The Kohl's Gastroenterology and Nutrition Diagnostic Center is also the site for infusion of medications related to gastrointestinal illnesses, pre-procedural preparation and colon cleanouts. Formal physician interpretation and communication is provided with each study.

Inpatient care

The Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition inpatient services offer comprehensive and high-level patient care, provided by a multidisciplinary team. The team consists of attending physicians, advanced practice nurses, nursing staff, social workers, gastroenterology and nutrition fellows, housestaff and others. Our fellows and residents are highly trained and are members of one of the most highly competitive training programs, both in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology. Primary care physicians, as well as patients and their families, are considered key members of the care team. Inpatients have access to a full array of diagnostic and consultative services.

In addition to general gastroenterology and nutrition diagnostic services, the following special programs are available within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition:

Center for Bone Health

The Center for Bone Health provides coordinated, comprehensive care to children with bone health concerns, including children who have evidence of   weak bones or who are at risk because of factors such as immobility, modified/restricted diets or chronic sterioid use. The Center is the only pediatric bone center in the Delaware Valley providing both clinical care and bone densitometry (DXA) interpretation. 

Learn more about the Center for Bone Health »

Center for Celiac Disease

The Center for Celiac Disease  is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. We care for a large number of children a year with celiac disease. We provide specialized care and support from a team of physicians, nuttritionists, nurses, educators, laboratory technicians and clinical researchers.

Learn more about the Center for Celiac Disease »

Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, education and research in the areas of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Support services include nursing care, formal patient education sessions, parent and patient support groups, psychologist and nutritionist care.

Learn more about the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease »

CHOP-Penn Transition Program for Digestive, Liver and Pancreatic Medicine

For children with chronic illnesses, and their families, the transition to adult healthcare can be difficult. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine have created a program to prepare patients to assume responsibility for their care and to provide help when the time comes to change doctors.

Learn more about the program »

The Combined Kidney/Liver Program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as a recognized leader in the fields of pediatric hepatology and nephrology, is proud to launch the Combined Kidney/Liver Program to serve patients with genetic diseases that affect both the kidneys and the liver, such as autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).

Our goal is to provide the finest diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for children and families who are affected. We have a core team of pediatric liver and kidney doctors, as well as supportive services, including nutrition, social work, psychology, transplant, transition to adult care and more. We offer families the convenience of seeing multiple specialists in a single clinic session.

For questions or to make an appointment, please contact the combined kidney/liver program through The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Division of Nephrology at 215-590-2449.

Learn more about the program »

The Fred and Suzanne Biesecker Pediatric Liver Center

The Fred and Suzanne Biesecker Liver Center is a world leader in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pediatric liver diseases. This unique "hospital within a hospital" was created from our belief that excellence in individual disciplines, while essential, is not enough. Our mission is to provide the most skilled, compassionate and state-of-the-art care available in a highly specialized environment. Our multidisciplinary team includes pediatric gastroenterologists with special expertise in liver disease, specialized nurses, nutritionists, physicians and other support systems.

Learn more about our clinical programs:

• Alagille syndrome »
• Biliary atresia »
• Pediatric liver transplant »
• Viral hepatitis »

Research is also vital to the mission of the Biesecker Liver Center, with active basic (laboratory) and clinical research programs at The Children’s Hospital and in collaboration with other institutions.

Intestinal Rehabilitation Program

The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program (IRP) provides comprehensive care to children with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) or Intestinal Failure (IF) who have reduced or ineffective intestinal length for the ability to absorb sufficient nutrients, fluid, and electrolytes that are necessary to sustain life and support growth.

The IRP provides multidisciplinary inpatient and outpatient care which includes consultations, rounds, follow-up care, and second opinion evaluations. The team consists of physicians, surgeons, dietitians, social workers and a nurse coordinator who formulate an integrated plan of care together with the family to optimize care for each patient.

Lipid Heart

The Lipid Heart Clinic evaluates and treats children and adolescents who have high levels of lipids (fats) in their blood. Elevated lipids, particularly cholesterol, put young people at risk for heart disease later in life.

We support families to make healthy lifestyle changes for themselves and their children, give customized dietary recommendations, and in some cases, prescribe medication to reduce a child’s risk for the early onset of heart disease.

Healthy Weight Program

The Healthy Weight Program uses a unique family-based approach to treat obesity and to manage conditions and risks related to obesity. Our diverse team of clinicians are experts in evaluating childhood obesity and coordinating care for children with medical issues related to their obesity.

Learn more about the Healthy Weight Program

Nutrition Services Program

The Nutrition Services Program is subdivided into several areas of specialization:

• A Nutrition Counseling service is available at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia main campus and in satellite offices throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Registered Dietitians provide in-depth nutrition assessment and counseling to help with a variety of outpatient nutritional issues, including basic assessment of nutritional and growth status, tube feedings, evaluation of special or restrictive diets, failure-to-thrive and obesity counseling.

Pediatric Enteral Access Center (PEAC)

The Pediatric Enteral Access Center provides evaluation and assessment of the need for enteral access (gastrostomy and jejunostomy feedings). Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy placement is performed by an interventional radiologist. Care post-placement is provided by the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the expertise of GI nurse practitioners. The Center also provides problem solving and solutions for gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube issues that may arise.

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center

The Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center is a multidisciplinary team of specialists offering a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating feeding and swallowing problems. The team is composed of a physician specializing in pediatric nutrition, speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, dietitian, nurse practitioner and physical therapist. The Center provides a continuum of care including outpatient services and a more intensive day hospital program. Therapy is designed to meet the needs of the individual child and family.