Before his fourth heart surgery, Dylan needed to reach 30 pounds in weight. But it wasn’t easy for Dylan; as an infant, he hardly ate, it took too much energy to chew and swallow.
“Eating becomes like an athletic event for medically fragile infants,” says Elizabeth Gleghorn, MD, a gastroenterologist at Children’s.
To get Dylan enough nourishment, Dr. Gleghorn inserted a gastrostomy tube into his stomach. Children’s clinical nutritionist Gail Seche prescribed a specially balanced feeding solution to be dripped in five times a day.
Soon, he weighed the necessary 30 pounds and was able to have the surgery.
Gastroenterology/Hepatology/
Nutrition
The department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology/Nutrition at Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland provides care for children from birth to age 18 who have symptoms and diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas.
Gastroenterology refers to the stomach, intestines and associated organs. Hepatology refers to the liver.
Additional Information
- Understanding Celiac Disease ( Download as PDF>)
- Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease
( Download as PDF>)
- Infant Intestinal Intensive Care Unit (I3cu) Gastroenterology+NICU+Surgery
( Download as PDF>)
Referral
Ask your physician for a referral, or call (510) 428-3058 for a referral questionnaire.
Hours
Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact us
Phone: (510) 428-3058
Fax: (510) 450-5813
Where to find us
Outpatient Center, 4th Floor
744 52nd St., Oakland CA 94609 — Map/Directions
For your convenience we also see patients at our specialty care offices in Brentwood, Larkspur, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek.
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