Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Contact the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program
Innovative care for complex conditions so your child can do more of what they love
Seattle Children’s pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program provides compassionate, expert care for children from birth through young adulthood. Our number-one goal is to get your child back to growing, learning and doing the things they love best.
For more than a decade, U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked our Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program among the top pediatric gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery programs in the country.
Why choose Seattle Children’s Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program?
Specialized programs, advanced treatments
Each child deserves complete care from pediatric specialists who use the most helpful diagnostic tools, like intestinal , and the most advanced therapies, from dietary changes to surgery. At Seattle Children’s, we treat common conditions as well as rare diseases. Through our specialized programs for inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal rehabilitation, motility disorders, celiac disease, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, liver failure and other conditions, Seattle Children’s brings together experienced experts to provide your child with options that go beyond traditional care.
Accurate diagnosis for personalized care
To provide the best treatment for your child, we first use the latest tools and technologies to make an accurate diagnosis — like imaging methods that emit low or no radiation and sedation-free tests, such as transnasal endoscopy and esophageal string tests. We offer options not found anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, and we only do tests that we feel are medically indicated. Careful diagnosis lets us choose the treatments your child needs and avoid those they don’t.
Developing life-changing approaches
Researchers in our program design and develop new treatments to transform care for children with gastrointestinal and liver conditions. Many of the same specialists who treat your child are leading pioneering research efforts that range from finding new dietary therapies for inflammatory bowel disease to curing hepatitis C. Your child will have access to the most current, state-of-the-art therapies, many of which are only available through clinical trials.
Care for your whole child
Our team helps your child understand and cope with their illness by treating your whole child, not just their symptoms. Members of our team have special training not only in their field but also in the unique needs of children and adolescents. We know that gastrointestinal and liver problems affect kids and teens differently than adults. We’ll discuss treatments in ways that you and your child understand and involve you in every decision.
Conditions We Treat
Gastroenterology
- Celiac disease
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs)
- Gastroschisis
- Infectious diarrhea
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Intestinal failure
- Motility disorders (including , , and ) and motility issues from other conditions (such as Hirschsprung disease, imperforate anus or tethered spinal cord)
- Nutritional disorders, including
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Pancreatitis (acute and chronic)
- Short bowel syndrome
- Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA)
- Ulcerative colitis
Hepatology
- Acute liver disease
- Acute liver failure (fulminant hepatic failure)
- Biliary atresia
- Choledochal cyst
- Chronic liver failure (end-stage liver failure)
- Hepatitis B and C (viral hepatitis)
- Liver masses and tumors
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and
- Portal hypertension
- Wilson disease
Our Gastroenterology and Hepatology Services
- Celiac Disease Program
- Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGID) Program
- Fatty Liver Program
- Hepatology Program
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
- Intestinal Rehabilitation Program
- Liver Transplant Program
- Motility Program
- Nutrition services
Gastroenterology and hepatology providers also work with other specialists at Seattle Children’s to provide care for children through the Bladder and Bowel Health Program, Bowel Management Treatment Program, Pediatric Feeding Program and Portal Hypertension Clinic and to support children with end-stage liver disease.
Read more about our treatments and services.
Meet Your Gastroenterology and Hepatology Team
Our team includes pediatric , pediatric , , surgeons, , nurses, social workers and . Based on your child’s needs, we’ll involve other Seattle Children’s experts, such as , , specialists and . The dedicated people who diagnose and treat your child are nationally and internationally recognized for the care they provide, their research discoveries and their advocacy work.
Patient Stories
Two generations with Alagille syndrome
When Amanda found out she was pregnant with a little girl, she was overjoyed. But she wondered if her daughter would inherit Alagille syndrome (ALGS), the genetic condition that robbed her of a normal childhood.
“I was so grateful Amelia would be able to go to Seattle Children’s. You don’t realize how lucky you are to have that kind of healthcare close by until you hear from other people who don’t. We were so blessed.”
– Amanda, whose daughter received ALGS treatment through a clinical trial
Celiac disease built Celia’s confidence
“Although having celiac disease can be tricky, it has taught me so many life skills and shapes who I am today. I am not afraid to speak up for myself. I now have a confidence that I am sure I wouldn’t have today if not for celiac disease.
“In my opinion, I have had such a full life already, bursting to the seams with food and happiness . . . and this is just the beginning.”
– Celia, who has served on Seattle Children’s Celiac Youth Leadership Council
Getting Care at Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Resources
Contact Us
Contact the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program at 206-987-2521 for an appointment, a second opinion or more information.