About the Pediatric Motility Disorders Program

Despite recent advances in scientific and medical knowledge about gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders, much remains unknown. Many children continue to suffer with debilitating conditions like chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), Hirschsprung’s disease, gastroparesis and achalasia, among others. To improve the health and long-term outcomes for these children, care must be provided by an expert multidisciplinary clinical and research team.

The Program for Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Pediatric Motility Disorders at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is devoted to meeting the growing clinical and research needs of these vulnerable children. The program is part of the Suzi and Scott Lustgarten Center for GI Motility at CHOP, the nation’s largest and most sophisticated clinical treatment program for GI motility disorders in children. The Lustgarten Center for GI Motility was established in 2011 after a $5 million gift from Irma and Norman Braman, who were inspired by their granddaughter, Sarah Lustgarten.

The Program for Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Pediatric Motility Disorders was recently designated a Frontier Program of Excellence at CHOP. Frontier Programs are unique, cutting-edge programs that aim to forge important new discoveries, deliver novel therapies, and improve children’s quality of life.

There are only a few pediatric motility centers in the world that can address the complex and multifaceted needs of youth with severe motility disorders. These disorders are often caused by a combination of factors including neuromuscular, genetic, mitochondrial, metabolic, environmental and psychological factors.

A multidisciplinary team

Our experienced team is made up of experts from various specialties who focus on providing expert medical care for each patient while providing emotional support for your whole family.

Led by attending gastroenterologists, the entire team specializes in pediatric motility care. The team includes:

  • Attending gastroenterologists
  • Advanced practice providers (APP) including nurses and physician assistants
  • Nursing teams who specialize in care of children with motility disorders
  • Nurse coordinator
  • Motility and gastroenterology dietitians
  • A psychosocial support team made up of social workers, psychologists and child life specialists
  • Researchers in both the translational research and basic science research labs
  • Administrative staff

Our program also collaborates with other specialists throughout the hospital as needed to ensure your child receives the comprehensive care they need. Your child will benefit from around-the-clock access to every pediatric subspecialty.