Pediatrics Gastroentrology

RelationalDoctors 1/14/2025 11:42:07 AM

Infant and toddler stomachaches, vomiting, and diarrhea can often put parents and pediatricians in difficult situations. These symptoms can be indicative of numerous diseases, and with timely treatment, we can prevent the development of more serious problems.

Here are the most common reasons why parents turn to a pediatric gastroenterologist in this age group:

Poor development: inadequate weight gain, lack of appetite, infant regurgitation.

Reflux (GERD): backflow of stomach content can irritate and/or damage the esophageal mucosa, thereby causing inflammation and erosion. In children, the symptoms are often not typically digestive but appear in different forms. The disease can be managed well with medicinal or non-medicinal treatment.

Food allergy: the first symptoms can occur in infancy but can also develop later. Symptoms can include: diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, bloody stool, hives, dry skin, eczema, and occasionally runny nose, sneezing.

Absorption disorder: a disease in any part of the intestinal system can cause this and it prevents the absorption of nutrients and water. This can trigger various food intolerances and allergies.

Lactose intolerance: due to the deficiency or malfunctioning of the lactase enzyme, the body cannot digest lactose. The most characteristic symptoms of lactose sensitivity are bloating, increased gas production, excretion, diarrhea, abdominal cramps.

Coeliac disease (gluten sensitivity): it is an inflammatory condition triggered by the body's sensitivity to gluten. It causes varying degrees of damage to the villi of the small intestine and subsequent absorption disorders.

Gastroenterological diseases in older children:

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): characterized by recurring abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and increased intestinal gas. The cause is unknown, but stress can play a role in its development.

Chronic intestinal diseases: in addition to IBS, this includes conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are associated with inflammation.

Liver diseases: one of the most common that can develop in childhood. The symptoms can be similar to those of the flu: chills, headaches, loss of appetite, sometimes diarrhea, abdominal complaints, jaundice.

In many cases, we encounter a variety of abdominal symptoms along with skin, respiratory, and other organ or system-wide, diverse symptom clusters. Often these symptoms are caused by improper diet and lifestyle, but it can also be due to stress.

With proper attention and necessary examinations, these diseases and conditions can be well-diagnosed and treated. Our pediatric gastroenterologists, Dr. Anna Gimesi, Dávid Horváth MD and Prof. Dr. András Arató warmly welcome their patients to their clini! 

For the first appointment, Dr. Anna Gimesi conducts a medical examination supplemented with nutritional advice for the child aged 0-2 years and their parent, which lasts 40 minutes.