Pediatric Anorectal Continence Evaluation Program (PACE)
The Pediatric Anorectal Continence Evaluation Program (PACE) at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a comprehensive treatment program for children with bowel management needs related to:
- Anorectal malformation (imperforate anus), a congenital anomaly where the anorectal region is either abnormally or incompletely developed.
- Hirschsprung's disease, which affects peristalsis, the muscular movement that propels food through the intestine.
- Myelomeningocele, a neural tube defect that causes a decrease or loss of bladder and bowel control.
These diseases are generally diagnosed at birth and repaired surgically in infancy. Despite surgical correction, a child may still need assistance with bowel management.
Program goal
Our goal is to work with the both the child and family to provide a successful bowel management program in the years following surgery so that each child may lead a normal, healthy life. We treat more than 300 patients annually.
The degree to which medications, diet, activity and lifestyle changes are required depends on the underlying diagnosis, associated anomalies and overall lifestyle.
Services for patients and families
This program's multidisciplinary team:
- Reviews information about each diagnosis, surgical and non-surgical management strategies as well as long term-support and education for patients;
- Assists families in obtaining appropriate evaluation tests and procedures;
- Develops a bowel management program with the patient and family;
- Provides nutritional and medication information for patients;
- Explains tests and procedures that are appropriate for patients and pertinent to treatment plans;
- Provides educational materials for patients, families and community providers; and
- Assist families in obtaining appropriate treatments for patients and insurance coverage as needed.
Benefits to referring physicians
The team works with primary care providers to offer appropriate bowel management strategies. Our program:
- Provides comprehensive written feedback for each new evaluation and subsequent visits;
- Recommends patient referrals to other specialists, as necessary;
- Explains and interprets radiology studies; and
- Provides educational materials on imperforate anus, Hirschsprung's disease and the anorectal continence evaluation program.
Our team
All of Children's Hospital's physicians are faculty members of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Our team includes:
- Edward J. Doolin, MD, Pediatric Surgery
- Karen Barnaby, MSN, CRNP, Surgery Nurse Pracitioner
Make an appointment
To schedule an appointment, call 215-590-8846. For questions, email pace@email.chop.edu.
The PACE program is located on the 5th floor of the Richard D. Wood Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center at the CHOP Main Campus, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard in Philadelphia.
Contact Us
- 215-590-2730
- Contact Us Online
- Request an Appointment