Celiac disease in children causes gluten to damage villi, the finger-like projections in the small intestine responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. When the villi are damaged, the body can't absorb nutrients the body needs to grow. If that happens, a child can become malnourished.

Children’s Mercy is home to one of a very few comprehensive colorectal centers in the nation. We take a team-based approach to care for children with colorectal malformations such as Hirschsprung Disease and other anorectal and pelvic floor disorders.

The BRICK (Bowel Retraining in Constipated Kids) clinic is a special clinic within the Division of Gastroenterology at Children’s Mercy Hospital dedicated to the care of children with constipation and encopresis. This clinic targets children 3 years and older who struggle with constipation and soiling, but are otherwise healthy.

Often called EOE, Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a type of allergic inflammation in the esophagus often triggered by a reaction to certain foods. While milk and wheat products are the most common culprits, it’s not always clear what the trigger might be.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic provides comprehensive health care for children and adolescents with IBD, in particular Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Our clinic is a family-centered environment that recognizes the physical, emotional, behavioral, financial, and social needs of children and families.

The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at Children’s Mercy provides a comprehensive approach to caring for children of all ages with intestinal failure, including short bowel syndrome.

The Liver Care Center is designed to provide a medical home for children dealing with highly complex liver disease. More than 900 children and teens with a wide range of liver diseases are receiving ongoing care in our clinics.

Chronic abdominal pain is a common problem that affects up to 20 percent of all school-aged children and teens. The Abdominal Pain Program at Children’s Mercy is a unique clinical and research program devoted to the evaluation and treatment of pediatric abdominal pain.

The Children's Mercy Pediatric Motility program, part of the nationally recognized Division of Gastroenterology, offers some of the best pediatric care for children with all types of gastrointestinal motility disorders. Families frequently travel from across the U.S. so children with previously unexplained cases can be treated in the program.

The Polyposis Center at Children's Mercy Kansas City offers specialized care for children with gastrointestinal polyposis. We are the only comprehensive, multidisciplinary team in the region with expertise in diagnosing and treating pediatric polyps and related syndromes.