At Cleveland Clinic Children’s we have a team of pediatric gastroenterologists — or experts in your child’s stomach, intestines, esophagus and other digestive organs. They’ll use the latest tests and tools to find out what’s going on. There are many reasons why you might want your child to see one of our specialists. Do they have chronic (ongoing) constipation or diarrhea? Think they might have a food allergy? Worried your child isn’t growing like they should? Are they having unexplained weight loss? If needed, we’ll also bring in our liver or nutrition experts. And if they have a condition that requires long-term care, we’ll help your family learn to manage it so that your child can thrive.
Find the Care Your Child Needs
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic Children's for Digestive Care?
Trusted experts:
Our board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists are experts in treating motility (how food moves through the digestive track) disorders, eosinophilic esophageal disorders (inflammation from buildup of immune cells) and cyclic vomiting.
High-volume specialty:
Our pediatric gastroenterologists see more than 10,000 children each year for digestive conditions. We’re also one of the largest programs in the U.S. for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. And when the time comes, our pediatric providers will help your child move easily to an adult care team.
Patient-centered care:
We know how difficult childhood diagnoses can be. Our experienced social workers, psychologists and counselors always take the time to explain treatment options to you and your child. And we encourage our patients and their families to actively participate in decisions related to their care.
Specialized equipment:
High-definition endoscopes and monitors help us to better see, diagnose and treat your child’s gastrointestinal problems. We also offer some of the most sophisticated and specialized testing available.
Convenience and privacy:
Managing your child’s health problems can be challenging and overwhelming. We want to reduce your stress as much as we can. If your child needs infusions for a condition like Crohn’s disease, they’ll take place in a private room — for your family only.
Innovation and research:
We’re always studying the latest ways to diagnose and treat digestive system conditions in children, including new medications that significantly improve the symptoms of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Our experts are also using a new surgical technique called small bowel transplantation. This procedure helps the intestines absorb nutrients properly after disease, injury or a past surgery.
Virtual visits:
We know life gets busy. That’s why we offer some appointments as virtual visits. You can meet one-on-one with your child’s providers from home with an internet connection and smartphone, tablet or computer.
National recognition:
Cleveland Clinic Children's is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized throughout the U.S. for our expertise and care.
Meet Our Children’s Gastroenterology Team
Why do we use the word “team” so often? Because that’s how we work — together. Throughout your child’s time with us, whether that’s just a couple of visits or a lifetime of care, they’ll meet with providers who have different types of expertise related to their condition. Our team, made up of board-certified gastroenterologists, will make sure we meet all your child’s needs — physical and emotional. And they’ll pull in our liver and nutrition experts to help, when needed.
There are many reasons and conditions that might bring your child in to see us, so we can’t yet say for certain what their team will look like. But depending on the problems your child is facing, here are a few of the types of providers they may work with:
- Pediatric gastroenterologists
- Pediatric hepatologists (liver specialists)
- Pediatric surgeons
- Registered dietitians
- Child psychologists
- Pediatric anesthesiologists
- Pediatric radiologists
- Childhood obesity specialists
- Pediatric nurse practitioners
- Pediatric nurses
- Pediatric art therapists
- Pediatric music therapists
- Social workers
Locations
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Get Started
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic Children’s gastroenterology experts is easy. We’re here to help your child get the care they need.
Billing & Insurance
Manage your Cleveland Clinic account. Find billing information and financial assistance, plus FAQs.
MyChart
Securely access your personal health information at any time, day or night.
Patient Stories
-
Two-Time Living Organ Donor: “If I could do it again, I would!”
“What better gift is there than to give life to someone who might not make it? If I could stop another family from having to deal with that I would.”Read More -
Uncle’s Living Donor Liver Donation Saves Toddler’s Life
“He gave us the gift of life. I don't know how you ever thank anyone enough for that.”Read More -
Surgery to Reconstruct the Gut Allows Girl With Twisted Intestines to Thrive
“This surgery had never been performed on a pediatric patient, but Dr. Kareem called me one day and said, ‘I can fix her!’ I can’t explain to you how it felt to hear those words.”Read More -
Two-Time Living Organ Donor Donates Liver, Saves Baby’s Life
"It was very powerful seeing her with her family and realizing I got to be a part of helping this little girl get well."Read More -
First-Time Parents Grateful for Newborn’s Lifesaving Care
“Unless something happens, you don’t realize we have a world class medical facility right in our own backyard. The Cleveland Clinic is like an international airport waiting room. People come from all over the world to get that care.”Read More -
A Gift Of Love
“As luck would have it, our regular pediatrician wasn’t available, so we booked a same-day appointment with Cleveland Clinic Children’s pediatrician Karen Vargo in Broadview Heights. Dr. Vargo was so kind, and asked so many questions. She was very perceptive and, when she didn’t like what she was hearing and seeing, she told me she was going to call a specialist.”Read More
