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• X-Ray Exam: Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (Upper GI)

  An upper GI X-ray can help find the cause of swallowing problems, unexplained vomiting, abdominal discomfort, severe indigestion, ulcers, reflux, hiatal hernia, or blockages.

• Treating Gastroschisis – Gastroschisis Silo (Video)

  Gastroschisis is when a baby is born with the intestines, and sometimes other organs, sticking out through a hole in the belly wall near the umbilical cord. A gastroschisis silo allow the intestines to slowly move into the belly.

• Treating Indirect Inguinal Hernia (Video)

  An inguinal hernia happens when part of the intestines slips into the groin (where the belly meets the upper leg) instead of staying in the belly as it should. Doctors fix inguinal (IN-gwuh-nul) hernias with surgery.

• Ulcerative Colitis

  Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that happens only in the colon. It causes the inner lining of the colon to get red and swollen with sores called ulcers.

• Umbilical Hernias

  An umbilical hernia shows up as a bump under the belly button. If a hernia doesn't go away by age 4 or 5 or causes problems, doctors may recommend surgery.

• What’s a Double Barrel Ostomy? (Video)

  Watch a short video to learn what a double barrel ostomy is and how it works.

• What’s a Laparoscopic Appendectomy? (Video)

  An appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix. Surgeons remove the appendix when it gets blocked and becomes infected. A laparoscopic appendectomy lets surgeons remove the appendix with the help of a tiny video camera called a laparoscope.

• What’s a Loop Ostomy? (Video)

  Watch a short video to learn what a loop ostomy is and how it works.

• What’s an End Ostomy? (Video)

  Watch a short video to learn what an end ostomy is and how it works.

• Laryngomalacia

  Laryngomalacia is a common cause of noisy breathing in infants.

• Lactose Intolerance

  Many kids have lactose intolerance - trouble digesting lactose, the main sugar in milk and milk products - which can cause cramps, diarrhea, and gas.

• Liver Transplant

  If your child needs a liver transplant, you're probably feeling lots of emotions. Fortunately, most kids who have liver transplants go on to live normal, healthy lives.

• Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube)

  An NG tube goes through the nose, down the throat, and into the stomach to deliver formula or medicine.

• Necrotizing Enterocolitis

  Necrotizing enterocolitis is an intestinal disease that usually affects preemies. Medicines and therapy can help babies with NEC.

• Nutrition Therapy and Crohn’s Disease

  Nutrition therapy is an alternative to medicines that doctors use to ease the symptoms of Crohn's disease. It can help improve nutrition and growth, ease inflammation, and heal the gastrointestinal tract.

• Ostomies

  For some digestive system problems, surgeons do a procedure called an ostomy that lets waste leave the body through a small opening in the skin of the belly.

• Pancreatitis

  Pancreatitis is sometimes mistaken for a stomach virus because symptoms can include fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually get better on their own, but sometimes treatment is needed.

• Peptic Ulcers

  Bacteria cause most peptic ulcers. Usually, they can be cured.

• Protein-Losing Enteropathy

  Protein-losing enteropathy is when too much protein leaks into the intestines, often because of a chronic health condition. The condition usually can be treated.

• Pyloric Stenosis

  Pyloric stenosis can make a baby vomit forcefully and often. It can lead to serious problems like dehydration, and needs medical treatment right away.

• Short Bowel Syndrome

  Short bowel syndrome happens when the small intestine is too short to fully absorb nutrients as it should. Kids with the condition often need to get nutrition through a special IV into a vein.

• Soiling (Encopresis)

  If your child has bowel movements in places other than the toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Many kids who soil beyond the years of toilet teaching have a condition known as encopresis.

• Stomachaches

  Kids can have stomach pain for lots of reasons - not all of them related to the digestive system. Here are some clues about what could be going on.

• Tapeworm

  Tapeworms are usually more upsetting to think about than to deal with. Tapeworm infections are rare in the United States, and they're usually easy to treat.

• Transition of Care: Crohn’s Disease

  Most teens with Crohn's disease should transition to an adult health care provider when they're between 18 and 21 years old. Here's how parents can help them do that.

• Transition of Care: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  Most teens with IBD should transition to an adult health care provider when they're between 18 and 21 years old. Here's how parents can help them do that.

• Transition of Care: Ulcerative Colitis

  Most teens with ulcerative colitis should transition to an adult health care provider when they're between 18 and 21 years old. Here's how parents can help them do that.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal problem that can cause cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Certain foods can trigger these problems. So can anxiety, stress, and infections.

• Intussusception

  Intussusception is the most common cause of bowel blockages in very young children. Quick treatment can help them recover without lasting problems.

• Functional Abdominal Pain

  Functional abdominal pain is lasting belly pain that doesn't respond to treatment. Many school-age kids have it at some point, but get better without lasting problems.

• Chyluria

  Chyluria is when there is chyle in the pee. Depending on what's causing it, chyluria can be treated and often can be cured.

• Constipation

  Constipation is a very common problem among kids, and it usually occurs because a child's diet doesn't include enough fluids and fiber. In most cases, simple changes can help kids go.

• Crohn’s Disease

  Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that causes parts of the bowel to get red and swollen. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent other problems, and avoid flare-ups.

• Diarrhea

  Most kids battle diarrhea from time to time, so it's important to know what to do to relieve and even prevent it.

• Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

  Eosinophilic esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus. Most people with the condition improve with treatment.

• Epigastric Hernias

  An epigastric hernia is when part of the intestines pushes through the abdominal muscles between the belly button and the chest. Many are small, cause no symptoms, and don't need treatment.

• Fetal Abdominal Cyst

  A fetal abdominal cyst is a bubble of fluid in a balloon-like bag in the belly of an unborn baby.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux

  When symptoms of heartburn or acid indigestion happen a lot, it could be gastroesophageal reflux (GER). And it can be a problem for kids - even newborns.

• Gastroschisis

  Gastroschisis is when a baby is born with the intestines, and sometimes other organs, sticking out through a hole in the belly wall near the umbilical cord.

• Hernias

  Hernias are fairly common in kids, and hernia repair is one of the most common pediatric surgeries.

• Hirschsprung Disease

  Children with Hirschsprung disease aren't able to pass a bowel movement, or do so with difficulty. Treatment almost always requires surgery.

• Immunizations and IBD

  Vaccines are safe to give to kids and teens with IBD and won't make their symptoms worse. Here are the ones they need.

• Imperforate Anus

  In an imperforate anus, the anal sphincter (a group of muscles in the anus that controls the release of poop) usually forms in the right place but without the normal opening.

• Indigestion

  Indigestion is an upset stomach that most often happens because someone eats too much or too fast, or has foods that don't agree with them.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two chronic diseases that cause intestinal inflammation: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although they have features in common, there are some important differences.

• Inguinal Hernias

  An inguinal hernia happens when part of the intestines pushes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen. Doctors fix these hernias with surgery.

• Intestinal Malrotation

  Malrotation is a type of obstruction caused by abnormal development of the intestines while a fetus is in the womb. Find out more about this condition and the complications it can cause.

• Chylous Ascites

  Chylous ascites is when chyle collects in the belly. Depending on what's causing it, doctors can treat chylous ascites and often cure it.

• Biliary Atresia

  Biliary atresia is when a newborn has blocked bile ducts in the liver. If a baby’s jaundice doesn’t improve by 2 weeks of age, doctors might suspect the condition.

• Appendectomy

  Learn the basics of an appendectomy so you know what to expect if your child has this surgery.

• Antegrade Continence Enema (ACE)

  An antegrade continence enema, or ACE, is a different way to give an enema. Enemas can help someone poop if they become constipated or have another problem moving their bowels.

• Galactosemia

  Some babies are born with the metabolic disorder glactosemia. They must drink soy-based formula instead of breast milk or a cow's milk-based formula.

• Celiac Disease

  Celiac disease happens when someone has a food intolerance to gluten. Here's how to manage symptoms and prevent damage to the intestines.