Paediatricians with a specialisation in paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology are experts in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver in children. The prerequisite for gaining a specialisation in paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology is a qualification in paediatrics.
Holders of this specialisation have in-depth knowledge of and skills in preventing, detecting and treating diseases of the digestive organs and liver in children. They care for patients who are suffering from diseases such as congenital malformations of the digestive tract, metabolic disorders of the liver, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and nutritional disorders. Their specific skill set also includes age-specific use of examination techniques such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy, or tissue removal from the liver by way of liver biopsy.
When they are treating children with nutritional disorders, metabolic disorders or excessive weight, they often work together with the corresponding specialists from adult medicine as well.