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Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

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Paediatric gastroenterology is the investigation and management of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, small intestine and colon) in infants and children.

We care for a large number of children who have complex gastrointestinal and nutritional problems. These include children with:

• inflammatory bowel disease
• intestinal failure
• malabsorption (when food is not properly absorbed by the body)
• severe constipation
• growth failure
• a need for long-term parenteral (feeding directly into the bloodstream) and enteral feeding.

We offer the following services. 

• Specialist gastroenterology clinics (three times weekly).
• Nurse-led clinic for children with constipation (weekly).
• Endoscopy session (weekly).
• Programmed investigations (pH studies).
• Feeding clinic for children with feeding difficulties (monthly).
• Hepatology clinic (every six months).
• Intestinal failure clinic (every three months).
• Transitional clinic for adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (three monthly).
  Many of our patients are adolescents coming to terms with having a chronic disease: in order to meet their needs and ensure a smooth transition from the paediatric to the adult gastroenterology service, we have a dedicated transitional clinic for adolescents.
• Home parenteral nutrition service.
  We offer a regional clinical service for children who are dependent on intravenous nutrition. Parenteral nutrition in the home requires nursing support from two Clinical Nurse Specialists.

The Paediatric Gastroenterology Department is based in the Children's Hospital|, on the John Radcliffe Hospital| site.

Initial contact with this service should be made via your GP.