Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders Program
Constipation is a common problem in children and is usually easily managed with changes in diet and lifestyle. However, when constipation becomes severe, it can lead to accidents of stool or urine, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. We offer diagnostic tests and state-of-the art treatments for motility disorders that interfere with your child’s comfort and health.
Motility is simply the muscles (sphincters) of the GI tract contracting in the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. When these muscles fail to function properly, it causes a motility disorder that can present with symptoms of persistent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or bloating, constipation and fecal incontinence.
At Children's Health℠ our treatment methods focus on discovering the mind-body connection to these GI conditions, and care is delivered by a robust, pediatric multidisciplinary team that includes:
Gastroenterologists
Nurse practitioners
GI dietitians
GI psychologists
Otolaryngologists (ENT)
Pain management
Pulmonologists
Conditions We Treat
- Pediatric abdominal migraines
- Pediatric achalasia
- Pediatric anorectal malformation (imperforate anus or ARM)
- Pediatric chronic abdominal pain (stomach ache)
- Pediatric cloacal anomaly
- Pediatric constipation
- Pediatric cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)
- Pediatric diarrhea
- Pediatric dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
- Pediatric Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS or elastic skin)
- Fecal incontinence in children
- Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD)
- Pediatric functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS)
- Pediatric gastroenteritis (stomache flu)
- Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hirschsprung's disease
- Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction
- Pediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Pediatric rumination syndrome (merycism)
- Pediatric nausea and vomiting
- Pediatric encopresis
- Pediatric gastroparesis
- Pediatric microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis)
Treatments and Services
- Pediatric Enteral Nutrition
- GI Psychology Services for Patients with Abdominal Pain
- Pediatric pH probe study
- Pediatric parenteral nutrition
- Anal and Pyloric Botox
- Anorectal Biofeedback
- High-Resolution Antroduodenal Manometry
- High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry
- High-Resolution Colonic Manometry
- High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry with Impedance
- Impedance Resting for Reflux
- Rectal Sensation Testing
Jasmin is an accomplished musician and artist; she is also a dedicated student and beloved daughter, niece and granddaughter. Her family stands beside her through a condition called cyclic vomiting. The condition has already caused her to stay in the hospital more than a dozen times in her life.
On one extended stay, the family encountered a Children’s Health Child Life Specialist named Keeley who impacted her in a powerful way.
Jasmin’s mom Kimberly says, “Jasmin and I were overwhelmed with compassion and kindness that has left footprints on our hearts. We will forever be grateful to Keeley and how much she went above and beyond.”
Home of a certified motility lab
Our program is certified as a motility laboratory by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS). The team cares for more children in the region than any other – with over 200 procedures performed annually by compassionate motility nurses in a setting that puts your child at ease.
Gut health research in action
The key to a healthy digestive system is your child’s gut health. Our team is dedicated to microbiome research to help determine the brain-gut connection and how a healthy microbiome mitigates different diseases. We also study the developing gut and its motility, and have research focusing on treatments for abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome as well as gastroparesis.
We’ve seen such improvements in his overall health and quality of life and are so grateful for the difference Children’s has made in his life.
Testing and treatment
Our state-of-the-art motility program offers diagnostic testing for motility disorders throughout the GI tract ranging from esophageal manometry, antroduodenal manometry, colonic manometry and anorectal manometry with testing for rectal sensations. We also offer impedance testing for reflux.
Treatment options include a bowel management program, multidisciplinary abdominal pain management program, pacemaker for gastroparesis, anorectal biofeedback program for issues with stool accidents as well as a multidisciplinary aerodigestive program.
Contact the pediatric GI specialists at Children’s Health for help with motility and impedance issues.
Resources
Home of a certified motility lab
Our program is certified as a motility laboratory by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS). The team cares for more children in the region than any other – with over 200 procedures performed annually by compassionate motility nurses in a setting that puts your child at ease.
Gut health research in action
The key to a healthy digestive system is your child’s gut health. Our team is dedicated to microbiome research to help determine the brain-gut connection and how a healthy microbiome mitigates different diseases. We also study the developing gut and its motility, and have research focusing on treatments for abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome as well as gastroparesis.
Testing and treatment
Our state-of-the-art motility program offers diagnostic testing for motility disorders throughout the GI tract ranging from esophageal manometry, antroduodenal manometry, colonic manometry and anorectal manometry with testing for rectal sensations. We also offer impedance testing for reflux.
Treatment options include a bowel management program, multidisciplinary abdominal pain management program, pacemaker for gastroparesis, anorectal biofeedback program for issues with stool accidents as well as a multidisciplinary aerodigestive program.
Contact the pediatric GI specialists at Children’s Health for help with motility and impedance issues.
Resources
Innovative GI care provides life-changing relief from chronic vomitingDespite his family's and GI doctor's best efforts, Vance continued to throw up multiple times a day and struggled to gain weight. For April, dealing with the mess – and the rude stares that often came with it – simply became part of her new normal.
Read More
Living with chronic constipation: How one girl went from surviving to thrivingFor most people, going to the bathroom comes naturally. But for one little girl and her family it was anything but easy.
Read More
Cutting edge surgery helps teen with gastroparesis return to normal lifeAt 15 years old, Hunter was busy making the most of high school. He played multiple sports, did well in classes and enjoyed spending time with his friends. So when the normally healthy teen started feeling nauseous on his way to a wrestling tournament in 2016, he and his mom just assumed he had caught some type of stomach virus.
Read More
Meet the Care Team
Alejandro Llanos Chea, MDPediatric Gastroenterologist
Rinarani Sanghavi, MDPediatric Gastroenterologist
Stevie Puckett-Perez, PhD, ABPPPediatric Psychologist - Gastroenterology (GI)
Rebecca Nolde-Hurlbert, APRN, CNSClinical Nurse Specialist - Gastroenterology
Jennifer Peacock, APRN, PNP-PCNurse Practitioner - Gastroenterology
