Children's Digestive Disease Program
Inova L. J. Murphy Children's Hospital is a regional leader in diagnosing, treating and managing digestive, liver and nutritional problems in children and adolescents. Our physicians expertly handle all pediatric GI issues, from more commonly seen conditions to the most complex and specialized cases. We are also active in national research efforts.
Expertise that's coordinated and convenient
Our gastroenterology team includes board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists from Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, a nurse practitioner, a dietitian and nurses. The gastroenterology team works closely with other pediatric specialties to provide the most comprehensive care possible. We are also active participants in national research efforts for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Our physicians provide care at numerous locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland at our outpatient clinics and through consultations in the hospital.
Meet our gasteroenterologists
Specialized Programs and Services
Offering the latest procedures
Our physicians and staff perform all pediatric GI diagnostic procedures, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and breath test for lactose intolerance. We are the only pediatric gastroenterology center in the DC metro area to offer two unique procedures, video capsule endoscopy and esophageal impedance/pH monitoring.
We also offer specialty services at Inova Children’s Hospital, including:
- Enteral feeding
- Eosinophilic esophagitis and immunologic bowel diseases
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Conditions and Treatments
Treating all digestive disorders including:
- Acute/chronic abdominal pain
- Celiac and malabsorption disorders
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Eosinophilic disease
- Feeding disorders
- Gastrointestinal disorders in special needs children
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Liver/gallbladder disease
- Peptic ulcers
Putting data into action
Our gastroenterology physicians are founding members of ImproveCareNow, a national collaborative committed to improving the care and quality of life for youngsters with inflammatory bowel disease. We use a national database to track our outcomes, remission rates, complications, drug usage and other variables.
We have enrolled more than 300 children in our studies and have seen an increase in our remission rate from 54 to 70 percent. The percentage of children with severe Crohn's disease has decreased. And the percentage of our Crohn's disease pediatric patients on steroids is extremely low.
Using research to improve quality of life
We participate in research efforts for inflammatory bowel disease with the ImproveCareNow collaborative. In addition, Inova's pediatric gastroenterology research includes:
- Activation factors in inflammatory bowel disease
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- GERD
- Long-term use of biologic therapies in inflammatory bowel disease
- Neonatal GERD
