Colorectal

Our team will work closely with you and your child to create a daily bowel program that helps them feel healthy and prevent accidents. With the help of a physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, dietitian, and child life specialist, you can trust that our team will be here for your family’s care.

Each program is created personal to your child’s needs and wellbeing. Their program may involve changes to diet, enemas, and/or medication.

• Anorectal malformations (imperforate anus, cloaca)
• Hirschsprung's Disease
• Severe medically refractory constipation
• Spinal or sacral disorders that affect the bowel (spina bifida, spinal trauma, sacral coccygeal teratoma)

Because every child has different care needs, every visit and care plan will be a bit different. In most situations though, we start with testing to help us identify and create your child’s care plan. Likely, this will include having your child complete a contrast enema. This is a test that uses X-rays and a special enema solution to take pictures of the colon or large bowel. This helps our doctors see if there are any abnormalities in the colon or distal small intestine and works to clean out their large bowel. No special preparation is needed for this test.

We may also have your child get an abdominal X-ray (KUB study). This shows the organs of the gastrointestinal system, and helps the provider see any stool burden or remaining fluid from the contrast enema.

During your visit, your child will see a physician or nurse practitioner, registered nurse, child life specialist, and dietitian. Together, we will work with you to provide the best care for your child.

Your child will have a follow-up appointment six months after starting their bowel program and then yearly afterward. We will adjust the program as needed during their follow-up visit or over the phone between appointments.