The Gastroenterology and Hepatology division brings together a group of multidisciplinary professionals who are dedicated to the care and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas in children.
The Gastroenterology Division provides excellent care in the areas of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders, Celiac Disease Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Intestinal failure, malabsorption disorders (problems with digestion or absorption of nutrients), Aerodigestive conditions, Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases, acute and chronic liver disease (hepatitis), liver and intestine transplantation, biliary disease, pancreatic disease, and nutritional evaluation and management.
For appointments, please call: Central Scheduling (206) 987-2521 option 1
Specialty Lab Services Offered
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Upper intestinal endoscopy commonly known as EGD – an exam of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
- Colonoscopy – an exam of the colon and lower part of the small intestine lining
- Tissue biopsy of the large and small intestine – a small tissue sample is taken from the lining of the esophagus, stomach, small or large intestine using an endoscope
- Endoscopic interventional procedures:
- Endoscopic feeding tube placement
- Foreign object removal
- Widening a narrow part of esophagus (esophageal dilation)
- Polyp removal
- Treating gastrointestinal bleeding
- Variceal banding or injection (varicose veins of the esophagus)
- Capsule endoscopy – a patient swallows a tiny pill that allows doctors to see images of the intestinal tract
- ERCP – a specialized endoscopic test that evaluates and treats the drainage of systems of the liver and pancreas.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound – a special endoscopy that can evaluate, biopsy, and deliver therapy to the organs of the digestive tract.
- Transnasal Endoscopy – a minimally invasive procedure using a camera to examine the upper digestive tract without need for sedation.
EndoFLIP
- A minimally invasive procedure using a flexible balloon during endoscopy to measure the dimensions (size), movement, pressure, and distensibility (ability to stretch) of the organ, for example, the esophagus
Bravo Esophageal pH Test
- A 48 hour test for acid using an endoscopically placed capsule to the esophagus
pH Probe Monitoring
- A 24–hour test using a small, soft tube inserted through the nose that measures the amount of acid reflux in the esophagus.
Liver Biopsy
- A tissue sample is taken from the liver to evaluate acute and chronic liver diseases.
Motility Testing
- Esophageal manometry – a procedure to determine how well the muscle of the esophagus works.
- Anorectal manometry – a procedure to evaluate the voluntary and involuntary function of the anorectum to screen patients for Hirschsprung Disease and anorectal Neuropathy.
- Antroduodenal manometry – a procedure to evaluate the neuromuscular integrity of the upper part of the digestive tract.
- Colonic Manometry – a procedure to evaluate the neuromuscular integrity of the colon
Related Services
- General Surgery
- Transplantation
- Weight Loss and Management
Our research programs center on the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of children and adolescents with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Current topics of focus include therapy trials for viral hepatitis, acute liver failure, metabolic dysfunction steatotic liver disease (MASLD - fatty liver disease), and inflammatory bowel disease. We also have ongoing research in the area of liver transplantation.Many of these studies are being performed in collaboration with other centers around the United States.
- The Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (ChilDReN) Network: Pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of pediatric genetic cholestatic liver diseases including biliary atresia, Alagille syndrome, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and bile acid synthetic deficiency
- The use of bowel ultrasound in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Nutritional therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Therapeutics in Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and C
- Pathogenesis and treatment of metabolic dysfunction steatotic liver disease (MASLD - fatty liver disease)
- Pathogenesis and treatment of intestinal failure · Society of Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) International Registry of children with liver transplants and outcome research
- Outcome disparities in liver transplant recipients
- Indicators of medical frailty among patients listed for liver transplant
- Hepatocellular mechanisms and molecular toxicology behind the hepatotoxicity of many widely-used medicinal herbs
We are a world-class pediatric gastroenterology group with a very strong national reputation and involvement. Our group is affiliated with an adult gastroenterology group at the University of Washington, which is regarded as one of the top gastroenterology divisions in the country. As the only academic pediatric gastroenterology group in the Pacific Northwest, we serve a broad geographic area and have a large patient population with chronic gastrointestinal and liver disease. Our program includes active inflammatory bowel disease, interventional endoscopy, hepatology, and liver transplantation. Our affiliations with University of Washington Medical Center and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center make research opportunities among the best in the world.
Please visit the UW Pediatrics Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship and Hepatology Fellowship pages for more information.
Seattle Children's Hospital
4800 Sand Point Way NE
Box 359300; OB.9.620.1
Seattle WA 98105
(206) 987-2521