The Paediatric Gastroenterology service at Nottingham Road Clinic provides specialist-led assessment, diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal, nutritional and liver-related conditions in infants, children and young people. Digestive symptoms are common in childhood and can range from transient, benign issues to complex, chronic or potentially serious disease. Accurate assessment is clinically important, as gastrointestinal symptoms in children may present differently to those in adults and can affect growth, development and overall wellbeing.
The service is delivered by clinicians with specialist expertise in paediatric gastroenterology, supported by access to diagnostic investigations, imaging and pathology services appropriate to the paediatric population. Care is focused on careful clinical evaluation to identify underlying disease, exclude serious pathology and guide safe, age-appropriate management.
Nottingham Road Clinic adopts a structured and evidence-based approach to paediatric gastroenterology. Assessment considers physical symptoms alongside growth, nutrition, developmental stage and psychosocial factors. Management plans are individualised and aligned with national clinical guidance, with close attention to family context and the impact of symptoms on daily life. Where appropriate, care interfaces with NHS paediatric services to ensure continuity and access to specialist pathways.
The Paediatric Gastroenterology service at Nottingham Road Clinic provides specialist-led assessment, diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal, nutritional and liver-related conditions in infants, children and young people. Digestive symptoms are common in childhood and can range from transient, benign issues to complex, chronic or potentially serious disease. Accurate assessment is clinically important, as gastrointestinal symptoms in children may present differently to those in adults and can affect growth, development and overall wellbeing.
The service is delivered by clinicians with specialist expertise in paediatric gastroenterology, supported by access to diagnostic investigations, imaging and pathology services appropriate to the paediatric population. Care is focused on careful clinical evaluation to identify underlying disease, exclude serious pathology and guide safe, age-appropriate management.
Nottingham Road Clinic adopts a structured and evidence-based approach to paediatric gastroenterology. Assessment considers physical symptoms alongside growth, nutrition, developmental stage and psychosocial factors. Management plans are individualised and aligned with national clinical guidance, with close attention to family context and the impact of symptoms on daily life. Where appropriate, care interfaces with NHS paediatric services to ensure continuity and access to specialist pathways.
The Paediatric Gastroenterology service is suitable for infants, children and adolescents presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms that require specialist assessment beyond primary care.
This includes children with:
Specialist input is particularly important when symptoms are persistent, impacting growth or development, associated with red-flag features, or when initial management in primary care has not resulted in improvement. The service supports both self-pay and insured pathways and provides clear guidance for GPs and referrers regarding investigation, monitoring and onward referral.
The Paediatric Gastroenterology service assesses and manages a wide range of gastrointestinal, nutritional and hepatobiliary conditions seen in childhood.
Abdominal pain and bowel disturbance
Children may present with recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation. Causes range from functional gastrointestinal disorders to inflammatory or structural disease. Assessment focuses on symptom pattern, impact on daily life and exclusion of significant pathology.
Constipation and bowel dysfunction
Chronic constipation and stool withholding are common in children and may cause pain, soiling or urinary symptoms. Specialist input supports structured management and identification of contributing factors.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can present in childhood with diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and growth disturbance. Early diagnosis and monitoring are essential to prevent complications and support normal development.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux and vomiting
Persistent vomiting or reflux symptoms require assessment to differentiate physiological reflux from pathological disease and to guide treatment where indicated.
Feeding difficulties and nutritional concerns
Feeding aversion, restricted intake and poor weight gain may reflect gastrointestinal disease, allergy or functional feeding disorders and require multidisciplinary assessment.
Food-related gastrointestinal conditions
Suspected food allergy, non-IgE mediated allergy and food intolerance may present with gastrointestinal symptoms in children and require careful differentiation to avoid unnecessary dietary restriction.
Liver and hepatobiliary conditions
Abnormal liver blood tests, jaundice or hepatomegaly require specialist evaluation to determine cause and need for monitoring or referral.
Red-flag gastrointestinal symptoms
Features such as persistent rectal bleeding, significant weight loss, faltering growth, nocturnal symptoms or systemic illness require prompt specialist assessment.
Assessment begins with a detailed history taken from the child and parent or carer, focusing on symptom onset, duration, progression, dietary intake, stool pattern and associated features. Growth history and developmental milestones are reviewed alongside family medical history.
Physical examination may include:
Diagnostic pathways are guided by clinical findings and may include:
All investigations are selected according to national paediatric guidelines, balancing diagnostic yield with minimisation of invasive testing.
Management is individualised and evidence-based, reflecting diagnosis, age, developmental stage and family circumstances.
Treatment pathways may include:
Conservative management is prioritised wherever appropriate, with careful follow-up to monitor response, growth and safety.
Paediatric gastroenterology frequently involves coordinated care. The service works closely with:
This multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive, child-centred care and clear referral pathways.
Appointments are consultant-led and designed to be child-focused and family-centred.
Families can expect:
Clear written communication is provided to families and referrers to support continuity of care.
Are gastrointestinal problems common in children?
Yes. Many children experience digestive symptoms, but specialist assessment is important when symptoms persist or affect growth.
Will my child need blood tests or scans?
Investigations are used only when clinically indicated to support diagnosis and management.
Can symptoms affect growth and development?
Yes. Some gastrointestinal conditions can impact nutrition and growth, which is why early assessment is important.
Are functional symptoms taken seriously?
Yes. Functional gastrointestinal disorders can cause significant distress and require structured management.
Will dietary changes be recommended?
Only when appropriate and supported by assessment, to avoid unnecessary restriction.
Can this service connect with NHS care?
Yes. Findings can support NHS referral and shared care pathways.
To book an appointment or discuss which clinician you should see first:
Phone: 01623 624137
Location: Nottingham Road Clinic, 195 Nottingham Road Mansfield NG18 4AA
