About Pediatric Gastroenterology

Pediatric gastroenterology deals with the investigation and management of disorders related to gastrointestinal tract which includes oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, small intestine and colon in infants and children. Whereas the pediatric hepatology is the branch of medicine that deals with liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas and management of their disorders.

The most common principal diseases concerned with are acute diarrhea, persistent vomiting, gastritis, and problems with the development of the gastric tract. Although traditionally considered a sub-specialty of gastroenterology, rapid expansion has led in some countries to doctors specializing solely on this area, who are called hepatologists.

Infant regurgitation is caused by a central nervous system reflex involving both autonomic and skeletal muscles in which gastric contents are forcefully expelled through the mouth because of coordinated movements of the small bowel, stomach, esophagus, and diaphragm.

The most common occurrence of diseases related to hepatology in children is may be due to defective genes, Autoimmune disorders, Drugs and toxins, Cancer, etc. Neonatal hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that occurs in early infancy, usually one to two months after birth. Some of the viruses which can cause neonatal hepatitis in infants include cytomegalovirus, rubella, and hepatitis A, B and C.