Gastroenterology

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nemours Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville provides evaluation and treatment services for infants, children and adolescents with diseases of the digestive tract, liver and pancreas. These include problems such as gastroesophageal reflux, abdominal pain, recurrent vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and inflammatory bowel disease. Further, we evaluate and treat children with liver diseases such as biliary atresia, neonatal hepatitis and chronic viral hepatitis, and pancreatic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Shwachman syndrome and hereditary pancreatitis.

Particular emphasis is placed on the care of children requiring enteral (tube-feeding) or parenteral (intravenous-feeding) nutritional support. With the support of dietitians, the division offers specific dietary intervention when appropriate. In addition, programs exist for care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and disordered defecation. The division has considerable experience in the preoperative and postoperative care of children with liver, small bowel and multi-organ transplants.

The division has particular interests in motility disorders and experience in measurement of both small bowel and colonic motility. The division has significant expertise in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and participates in several multi-center and national research protocols.

The division is composed of board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners and dietitians. A full range of gastroenterologic investigations are performed including both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, intestinal manometry, and portable esophageal pH monitoring. In addition, hydrogen breath testing and H.pylori breath testing are available.