Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition includes board certified pediatric gastroenterology specialists and nurse specialists who care for children with disorders of the digestive tract (esophagus stomach, intestine), liver and pancreas. We provide comprehensive evaluations, individualized treatment plans and extensive education for families.

Our pediatric gastroenterologists are faculty members of the Indiana University School of Medicine. Along with excellent patient care, our division is engaged in clinical research and offers a highly regarded pediatric gastroenterology fellowship training program.

Why Choose Us?

We help children live normal lives.

Children with digestive disorders may experience a range of unpleasant physical symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain. Chronic problems like constipation or encopresis (soiling) can be socially and emotionally traumatic for both the patient and the family. Liver diseases can also be life-threatening. Our team of specialists works aggressively to provide a comprehensive, personalized care plan for each child to improve health and ensure quality of life.

We believe in a team approach, including the family.

Within our division, physicians and nurses work together in teams to optimize continuity of care for your child.

Our gastroenterologists work closely with other Riley at IU Health pediatric specialists, including surgeons, nutritionists and psychologists, as well as our patients’ own pediatricians and family physicians to provide comprehensive care for our patients. Your family is an important part of our team approach as well. Family education is a priority, and in addition to the extensive time spent during an appointment, we provide a variety of resources on this website and in printed booklets available in our office. We host family conferences, provide support groups and link you to other existing community resources.

We are experienced

• Our ten pediatric gastroenterology specialists are fellowship trainined, meaning they completed three years of post-graduate training in pediatrics.
• The pediatric gastroenterology division was one of the first programs of its kind in the country and was founded in 1969 by Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald, who is considered a pioneer in the field of pediatric gastroenterology.
• Because Riley at IU Health is a regional referral hospital, our team performs more than 2000 pediatric endoscopy procedures and cares for more than 70 new pediatric liver patients each year.

We provide special clinics and programs

• Biliary Atresia Clinic—This multidisciplinary clinic is staffed by a pediatric hepatologist, a pediatric surgeon and a dietitian, and meets monthly.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program—Pediatric gastroenterologists collaborate with pediatric surgeons, dietitians and clinical pharmacologists. A support group is being developed.
• Eosinophilic Intestinal Disease Program—Riley physicians are pioneers in this area and have extensive expertise in managing these diseases. The multidisciplinary eosinophilic esophagitis clinic meets monthly and pediatric allergists and dietitians contribute to the program.
• Intestinal Care Center—This monthly clinic, staffed by pediatric gastroenterologists, pediatric surgeons, transplant surgeons, dietitians and social workers, aims to help children with short bowel syndrome advance in their ability to feed using the intestine. The center provides comprehensive care to these challenging patients, some of whom may require transplantation.
• Airway and Digestion Clinic—This clinic is a result of collaboration between pediatric gastroenterologists and pediatric pulmonologists. This clinic offers multidisciplinary approach to children with swallowing, airway or upper GI tract issues.
• The Pediatric Liver Program provides expert diagnosis and management of children with a variety of liver diseases including elevated liver enzymes, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, metabolic liver disease, hepatomegaly and neonatal jaundice. The division offers families a pediatric liver support group which meets quarterly, as well as a liver library for the use of patients and families.
• Liver Transplant Program—Inaugurated in 1987, nearly 150 children have undergone liver transplantation at Indiana University Health’s program. These children enjoy excellent quality of life.

We've earned national prominence

• Our Pediatric Gastroenterology program ranked 23rd in U.S.News & World Report’s 2013-14 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking.
• Riley at IU Health ranked 16th out of nearly 250 children’s hospitals in Parent magazine’s 2008 “Best Children’s Hospitals” rankings.
• Each year our pediatric gastroenterologists are asked to speak at national conferences, give lectures at other medical schools and teaching hospitals, and publish articles on our gastrointestinal and liver disease research.