Pediatric Gastroenterology Helps Children Thrive
Renown Health’ s pediatric gastroenterologists provide comprehensive care for digestive disorders, helping young patients achieve the best possible quality of life.
Juan Gregory, MD
Kathleen Holland, MD, MPH
FROM COMMON CONDITIONS to rare disorders, digestive problems can have a profound impact on children’ s physical health, mental health and ability to succeed at school. At Renown Children’ s – Specialty, pediatric gastroenterologists Juan Gregory, MD, and Kathleen Holland, MD, MPH, provide the full range of care for digestive conditions, enabling children to reach their full potential.
“ Being part of a children’ s hospital, we can offer additional resources to our patients that might not be available elsewhere,” Dr. Holland says.“ This includes dietitian services, social work, case management and care coordination with multiple subspecialties.”
Care From Birth to Young Adulthood Dr. Gregory and Dr. Holland treat numerous
Sunny Sawyer, PAC digestive disorders of childhood, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, celiac disease,
constipation, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, food allergies and intolerances, functional gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and motility problems. Some conditions are increasing.
“ We are seeing more and more babies with feeding tubes requiring nutritional counseling by our team,” Dr. Holland says.“ Cases of autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease and Crohn’ s disease, are also rising.”
The pediatric gastroenterology team provides the most up-to-date diagnostic and therapeutic services, including:
• Anorectal manometry
• Biopsy
• Esophageal dilation
• Gastrojejunal tube placement
• Polyp removal
• Upper and lower endoscopies
Adding Expertise Later this year, Renown Children’ s – Specialty will add a third pediatric gastroenterologist to meet northern Nevada’ s growing need for children’ s digestive care.
“ We are a huge resource to the community,” Dr. Holland says.“ We will continue to work closely with our community and Renown Health partners to deliver high-quality, multidisciplinary care for children.”
Refer a patient to a pediatric gastroenterologist at Renown Children’ s – Specialty by calling 775-982-5437.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE ON THE RISE
Renown Children’ s – Specialty pediatric gastroenterologist Kathleen Holland, MD, MPH, has seen an increasing number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease( IBD). That trend is occurring across the U. S. A 2024 study in the journal Gastroenterology found a 22 % increase in the prevalence of Crohn’ s disease and a 29 % increase for ulcerative colitis among people younger than age 20, when compared with 2009 data.
As IBD in children becomes more common, timely referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist is key. Potential Crohn’ s disease and ulcerative colitis symptoms that may warrant a referral include:
• Abdominal pain
• Anemia
• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Unexplained fevers
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting
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