Steven J. Czinn, MD, FAAP, FACG, AGAF, Editor

Samra S. Blanchard, MD, FACG, Editor

The past decade has resulted in medical advances that many of us thought impossible. Our understanding of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics has given the practitioner insights into the pathophysiology of gastroenterologic disorders at the molecular level. The end result is targeted therapies that are allowing us to achieve long-term remission of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) inflammatory disorders, cure hepatitis C, and make liver and small bowel transplant almost routine. In parallel to these discoveries, endoscopic and radiologic improvements have also enhanced our ability to diagnose and treat GI disorders that previously required surgical exploratory laparotomy. Despite these medical breakthroughs, a large subset of children continues to be diagnosed with both acute and chronic gastroenterologic disorders. In this issue, we highlight in great detail the newer modalities for diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of these disorders.

In this issue, we address issues that continue to be relevant in the field of pediatric gastroenterology. We included articles on commonly treated gastroenterologic disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (Maheen Hassan, MD and Hayat Mousa, MD), inflammatory bowel disease (Máire A. Conrad, MD, MS and Joel Rosh, MD), pancreatic disorders (Aliye Uc, MD and Douglas Fishman, MD), eosinophilic GI disorders (Lisa Fahey, MD and Chris Liacouras, MD), GI bleeding (Anita Pai, MD and Victor Fox, MD), motility disorders (Samuel Nurko, MD), and transitioning patients from pediatric to adult care (Punyanganie S.A. de Silva, MBBS, MPH, MRCP and Laurie Fishman, MD, FAGA). We also bring updates on treatment of hepatitis B and C (Wikrom Karnsakul, MD and Kathleen Schwarz, MD), abdominal pain (Donna Zeiter, MD), neonatal cholestasis (Erin Lane, MD and Karen Murray, MD), pediatric liver and small bowel transplant (Nada Yazigi, MD and Nidhi Rawal, MD), and caustic ingestions and foreign bodies (Marsha Kay, MD and Jacob Kurowski, MD). Obesity and celiac disease continue to be at the forefront of child health, and we have included thoughtfully written pieces on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children (Praveen Kumar Conjeevaram Selvakumar, MD, Mohammad Nasser Kabbany, MD, Valerio Nobili, MD, and Naim Alkhouri, MD) and celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity (Runa Watkins, MD and Sharmila Zawahir, MD).

It has been a pleasure to edit the contributions of a talented group of authors, and we would like to thank them for their efforts in preparing thoughtful, concise, and relevant articles. We hope that you enjoy this special gastroenterology-focused issue of Pediatric Clinics of North America .