Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutritionology in Antalya, Alanya, Kemer, Istanbul.
Many diseases observed in childhood differ greatly in the stage of diagnosis and treatment compared to adulthood. Among them are diseases related to the digestive system. In addition to all kinds of diseases related to the digestive system, liver and biliary tract in children, a medical department of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition has been developed to conduct diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the field of child nutrition and the treatment of eating disorders. Our department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition employs a team of experts who serve this purpose.
It is successfully used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the stomach, intestines and liver in children aged 0 to 18 years. In addition, our department provides gastroscopic and endoscopic procedures under anesthesia for children's patients. During these procedures, a biopsy can be performed if necessary, and samples sent to the appropriate laboratories are carefully examined and play a leading role in managing the diagnosis and treatment process.
The following diseases are diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition:
Infant and child nutrition
Infancy and childhood are periods when adequate and balanced nutrition is very important in connection with growth and development. For this reason, in addition to healthy and balanced nutrition planning in infants and children, enteral and parenteral nutrition may also be recommended to prevent negative effects on growth and development during periods of illness. Enteral nutrition orally (orally), using nasogastric and orogastric probes or by means such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), percutaneous endoscopic eunostomy (PEG); In individuals who are unable to perform digestive function, preference is given to appropriate methods of total parenteral nutrition, which are completely intravenous methods of nutrition.
A child with anorexia
One of the most common problems in childhood is anorexia. Many reasons, such as too little food, fastidiousness in eating, difficulties with self-nutrition, unusual eating habits, undesirable behavior against nutrition, can cause anorexia in children and, consequently, developmental delay. If there are physiological problems causing anorexia, multidisciplinary teams consisting of specialist doctors, nutritionists and other support medical personnel, the problem of anorexia can be eliminated by appropriate methods after their treatment.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux, also popularly known as reflux disease, is a very common gastroenterological disease. This disease, which is often observed in infancy and childhood, includes problems caused by leakage of stomach contents into the esophagus (esophagus) for various reasons. Reflux disease can be controlled with appropriate medications, nutrition planning, and lifestyle changes. Serious problems that may arise due to the disease can be prevented and the quality of life can be improved.
Pediatric endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy)
Endoscopic applications such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy are often used in pediatric departments of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, especially in the diagnostic process. With the help of such endoscopic techniques, all organs of the digestive tract can be clearly visualized, while there is no need for invasive applications such as surgery, incision, wound or suturing. With the help of these applications, which make it possible to diagnose gastroenterological diseases, it is possible to take samples (biopsy) from the lesions seen at the same time and send them to the laboratory for examination.
Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease
Gastritis, which develops in the form of inflammation of the gastric mucosa covering the inner surface of the stomach, and peptic ulcer, which develops in the form of ulcers due to damage to the layers covering the inner surface of the digestive system, are diseases that are usually observed in adulthood, but in some cases can occur in childhood and infancy. Diagnosis and treatment of persons under the age of 18 with these diseases requiring treatment due to their progression are carried out in pediatric gastroenterology departments.
Chronic abdominal pain
Chronic abdominal pain, which has a very high frequency, especially in adolescent girls, is the medical name for abdominal pain that is continuous and repetitive for at least 3 months or causes periodic disruption of daily activities for at least 6 months. Pain can develop due to the menstrual cycle, gynecological diseases or any physiological disorder, as well as due to psychiatric reasons.
Bleeding from the digestive system
This is a health problem that manifests itself with problems such as bleeding from the digestive system, leading to anemia and death, bleeding from the mouth (vomiting) due to gastrointestinal diseases, blood in the stool (melena and hematocheesia) and hidden blood in the stool, which can only be detected in laboratory tests. The treatment protocol should be started as early as possible in children who go to medical institutions complaining of bleeding, as well as in children who have suspected gastrointestinal bleeding during routine tests.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are serious health problems that can also occur in childhood. Despite the fact that the treatment of these diseases, which are often observed, especially at the age of 10-19 years, is similar to adulthood, the places of intestinal damage and the severity of the disease differ from adults. With this disease, which significantly affects digestion, dietary supplements may also be required during periods of seizures to maintain healthy growth and development.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease, which can also be called gluten enteropathy; It occurs due to an abnormal reaction of the body to a substance called gluten found in wheat, barley and rye. In such patients, a special nutrition program should be used, which does not include products containing a gluten complex. Patients should be under the supervision of a doctor and treatment throughout their lives, and the nutrition plan should be constantly checked under the supervision of a dietitian.
Diseases of the pancreas
Acute and chronic pancreatitis (pancreatitis) and benign or malignant tumors in the pancreas are the most common diseases of the pancreas in childhood. In diseases of the pancreas, which are usually manifested by nausea, vomiting and an increase in the level of enzymes produced by the pancreas in the blood, in addition to medication and pharmacological treatment, individual dietary programs with a reduced fat content should be used.
Fatty liver disease
The accumulation of fat around the liver due to various causes and an increase in liver size above the norm is called fatty liver dystrophy. Although this disease, which is often observed in childhood and especially in overweight children, does not cause acute symptoms, it can cause problems up to liver damage in the long term, so it should be controlled with medication and therapeutic diet therapy.
Cholestasis (jaundice)
The yellow color of the skin and the white part of the eye is called jaundice. Bilirubin, which is produced by destroying a substance called hemoglobin, which gives the blood a red color, is excreted from the body by the liver. In newborns, the liver has just taken over this task from the placenta, and jaundice can occur in childhood due to certain liver diseases. In patients with jaundice, first of all, it is necessary to identify the health problem that caused jaundice and plan the treatment process accordingly.
Cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension
As a result of damage and hardening of liver tissues for reasons such as alcohol consumption, infections and liver diseases, irreversible liver damage occurs, called cirrhosis. An increase in pressure in the portal vein, which is a vessel that delivers blood to the liver due to cirrhosis or unknown causes, is called portal hypertension. Despite the fact that these diseases with serious liver problems can be observed in childhood, diagnostic and treatment services are provided by the medical departments of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition.
Acute and chronic liver failure
The inability of the liver to function properly for various reasons is called liver failure. This condition, which can be observed in both childhood and adulthood, can be acute or chronic. Since liver failure, which has vital functions in the body, will lead to serious complications, these patients should be monitored and treated in pediatric hepatology departments.