Pediatric Pancreas Disease Program
Meet the Care Team
Patient Stories
A mom seeks and finds life-saving answers for her baby boy
When Barrett, who goes by Bear, was just 4 months old, his mom Jill noticed that he was getting sick a lot. He began grunting in pain and just didn't seem to act like a "normal" baby. She brought him to several doctors over the next few months, but no one seemed overly concerned.
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When is a stomach ache more than a stomach ache? Pediatric GI conditions can sometimes be difficult to diagnose — including pancreas disease. When your child is hurting, you can trust the UT Southwestern physicians practicing at Children’s Health℠ to diagnose and treat chronic and recurrent pancreatitis and pediatric pancreas disease, and relieve or mitigate your child’s pain.
Our program is oftentimes the first that comes to mind for pediatricians in Texas and surrounding states. A child’s primary care doctor is the first line of defense, referring to us children suffering from pancreas conditions. Our robust, multidisciplinary team includes board-certified gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, pain specialists and therapeutic endoscopists to identify, diagnose and treat your child’s symptoms.
We treat our patients holistically, collaborating as a team that includes a dedicated GI dietitian and pediatric psychologist who understand that children have unique stressors and specific dietary needs. During our regularly scheduled clinic days, children receive outpatient care from our experts for common pancreas problems, including pancreatic fluid collections, pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis and more.
Home to 2 of approximately 20 pediatric endoscopists in the U.S. that perform ERCP
We are proud to offer advanced endoscopic care for children. The UT Southwestern endoscopists that practice at Children’s Health, David Troendle, M.D., and Brad Barth, M.D., strive every day to exceed expectations and deliver the very best care and treatment for our patients, from diagnosis to minimally invasive surgery to correct the issue.
ERCP provides a clear path to healing
We understand that pediatric patients are not just small adults, which is why our onsite diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and EUS (endoscopic ultrasonography) services are performed by fully trained pediatric pancreatologists with pediatric-sized equipment. The endoscopists at Children’s Health perform nearly 100 pediatric ERCPs per year, so you can count on our experience.
Research that leads to better outcomes for pediatric pancreas disease
The pediatric pancreas disease team at Children’s Health participates in and leads clinical research to bring the best possible care to children with pancreas disease, here in Dallas-Fort Worth and around the world. This includes involvement in local, national and international research projects at the forefront of new developments in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreas disease.
Our team members participate in INSPPIRE (International Pediatric Pancreatitis Research Project) and were the creators of PEDI (Pediatric ERCP Database Initiative). Studies have also included looking at risk factors and outcomes in necrotizing pancreatitis and using IV ibuprofen to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in children.
Contact the pediatric pancreas disease specialists at Children’s Health
When your child needs a GI specialist to find answers and to create a plan for healing, we are by your side. Call us at 214-456-8000. We are located in Dallas and Plano with compassionate care and world-class treatments options.
National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) Approved
The Pancreas Disease Program at Children’s Health is an approved National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) Center for the care and treatment of pancreatitis. Please visit pancreasfoundation.org to learn more about this distinction and the NPF.
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