Welcome to South Texas Pediatric Gastroenterology, the practice group of Dr. Chad Best and Dr. Orlando Cortes. South Texas Pediatric Gastroenterology’s physicians treat issues of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas in infants, children and adolescents. The area is a subspecialty of pediatrics and gastroenterology, certified by the Board of Pediatrics. Pediatric gastroenterologists are able to diagnose conditions, then medically treat as well as perform procedures.

The practice is one of several aligned under South Texas Pediatric Specialists, an expanding cadre of pediatric subspecialists strengthening the expertise offered to the community and affiliated with Baptist Children’s Hospital at North Central Baptist Hospital.

Conditions We Treat

The gastrointestinal tract runs from the mouth to the anus and includes all the digestive organs in the body. These are the organs that extract nutrients from the food we eat through our mouths, then creates waste from what is not usable for energy. When there is a disorder in this tract and entire system, the basic functioning and health of the body is thrown into imbalance. For a child who is rapidly growing, this type of disruption has serious implications into both physical and mental development.

Some of these disorders include:

• Abdominal pain
• Esophagitis
• GERD (reflux)
• Pancreatic diseases
• Celiac disease
• Failure to thrive
• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
• Peptic ulcers
• Colitis
• Food allergies
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Polyps
• Constipation
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Liver disease
• Obesity
• Crohn’s disease
• Gastroparesis
• Motility disorders
• Short bowel syndrome

Procedures and Testing

• Therapeutic Endoscopy - An endoscope is a slender tubular instrument with an illuminated optical used to look deep into the body. It can be used for diagnosing problems in the gastrointestinal tract as well as to actual perform treatment procedures.
• Esophageal Stent Placement - The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. It is activated by swallowing. When a child is having difficulty swallowing or there is a benign blockage, a hollow tube called a stent is placed in the esophagus. The stent opens the esophagus. The placement of this stent in the esophagus is considered non-surgical.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Testing - Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is a digestive disorder that occurs when contents from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus. In children, it is common in those under two years of age. To test for this condition, an endoscopy is performed to examine the esophagus and stomach.
• Video Capsule Evaluation - In order to diagnose issues of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine, video capsule endoscopy is often used. This minimally invasive tool allows the physician to view images that are magnified 1.8 times – higher than conventional endoscopes. This level of magnification allows the gastroenterologist to see individual villi, to evaluate the child’s condition and determine treatment.