Gastroenterology

Celiac disease is a disorder in which a person’s intestine reacts to gluten, a protein found in most grains, including wheat, rye and barley. Our team of gastroenterologists, a specialized nutritionist and a nurse clinician provide comprehensive care to children diagnosed with this condition, including state-of-the-art diagnostic modalities, on-going follow-up and genetic screening for family members. Furthermore, we provide continuing education and up-to-date resources about gluten-free diets to our patients’ families. More information on this condition can be found through the Canadian Celiac Association or GI Kids.

Dysphagia refers to a condition in which swallowing is difficult. Children referred to our Complex Medical Dysphagia clinic have feeding and swallowing difficulties that require coordinated care.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multi-organ condition that may involve the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Our team provides expertise for children with more complex gastrointestinal symptoms. More information on this condition can be found on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website.

Esophageal atresia is a congenital malformation of the digestive system that happens when the esophagus has not developed properly and does not connect to the stomach. It can be accompanied by a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), which is an abnormal link between the trachea (where air goes in) and the esophagus (where food goes in). More information can be found on the Association québécoise de l’atrésie de l’oeosophage website.

A variety of congenital or acquired liver conditions can affect children of any age. Our Hepatology Clinic offers a full range of diagnostic services, as well as consultation and follow-up treatment to patients with pediatric liver disease. The clinic’s team includes gastroenterologists, nurses and nutritionists. Information and resources for patients and families can be found at the Canadian Liver Foundation or GI Kids.

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a number of disorders, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Our clinic offers patients medical, nursing, nutritional and psychological support to help deal with their illness. Patients benefit from the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and protocols to monitor disease. One of our nurse clinicians is assigned to each patient and family to provide out-of-hospital support, offer advice and help minimize the need for hospital visits. Our team is also involved in several educational events and research projects in IBD, working in collaboration with the McGill IBD research group. To learn more, please contact Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, GI Kids and McGill IBD Research Group.

Intestinal failure happens when the body cannot fully sustain growth through oral nutrition. Our team of pediatric gastroenterologists and surgeons, a general pediatrician, nurse practitioners, a nutritionist, a pharmacist, an occupational therapist, and a social worker provides care to children suffering from various forms of this condition. We aim to improve the quality of care for our patients while they are staying in hospital and after they have gone home.

Nutritional problems in children can occur as a result of other complex health conditions. The Nutrition clinic provides consultation and nutritional care to patients seen by other subspecialty services at the hospital, as well as patients seen by the Complex Care Service Team and the Feeding Disorders Team. Our multidisciplinary group includes psychologists, occupational therapists, a behavioural specialist and two nutritionists.

The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that helps digest food. The Pancreas clinic offers consultation, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up to patients with both congenital or acquired pediatric pancreatic problems. Our team consists of a gastroenterologist, a nurse and a nutritionist.  More basic information on this condition may be found at GI Kids.

Polyposis syndromes are hereditary conditions that cause polyps to form in the gastrointestinal tract. The Polyposis Clinic provides comprehensive full assessment and recommendations for follow-up to the treating gastroenterologist. We work to provide patients and families with a unified care plan.

The Reflux clinic is a regional referral centre for the management of children with refractory cases of extra-esophageal reflux disease. To contact the clinic, please call:  514-412-4487