Pediatric Digestive Health Treatments

Trust pediatric specialists at University Health to find the right treatments for your child’s digestive health condition. They'll work closely with you to create a personalized care plan to improve your child’s well-being.

Treatments to Help Your Child Feel Better

Every child is unique, and the treatment options can vary. They can range from dietary changes to more complex treatments. Once we’ve diagnosed your child, our team will work closely with you to determine the best way to improve their health.

Dietary Changes

Adjusting your child’s diet can often make a significant difference. Strict dietary changes can feel overwhelming. But our doctors and dietitians are here to support your family. You can consult a nutritionist who can guide you in making these changes manageable for your child and family.

Feeding Support

If your child is experiencing failure to thrive (FTT), they may need feeding assistance. An IV (intravenous therapy) or feeding tube can help your child regain health. We’ll tailor treatment options to fit your child’s age, symptoms and specific needs.

When your child cannot eat or drink enough by mouth, your doctor may give treatments to prevent malnutrition, such as:

• Enteral nutrition – Delivers nutrients to the digestive system through a tube when kids cannot eat normally
• Parenteral nutrition – Provides nutrients directly into the bloodstream via an IV line, bypassing the digestive system

Medication

Some digestive conditions can lead to malnutrition because the body can’t properly absorb nutrients. Some medications can slow digestion. They give the body more time to absorb nutrients. Others can relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Always consult your child’s doctor before giving any adult over-the-counter medications.

Surgery

Your child may need surgery to fix issues such as congenital abnormalities (present at birth), gallstones or hernias. Whenever possible, your doctor will use minimally invasive surgery. It can reduce scarring and shorten your child’s recovery.

Transplantation

If your child needs a liver transplant, our skilled surgeons can help. They specialize in pediatric liver transplantation, ensuring your family receives expert care every step of the way.