Gastroenterology

Our pediatric gastroenterologists are specially trained to treat and diagnose gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and nutritional disorders in newborns to eighteen year old children. The gastroenterologists utilize pediatric expertise to provide consultations, diagnosis, and medical management to children with gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders. The pediatric gastroenterologists at El Paso Children’s Hospital are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are board certified in Pediatrics and have trained in children’s hospitals across the country.

Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality pediatric gastrointestinal care.

Our Pediatric Gastroenterology Department offers treatments for the following conditions:

  • Biliary disease
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea 
  • Esophagitis
  • Failure to Thrive
  • Feeding Disorders
  • Functional Abdominal Disease
  • Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
  • Liver Disease
  • Obesity
  • Pancreatic Disease

Available Services:

  • 24 Hour Reflux Monitoring
  • Anorectal Manometry 
  • Capsule Endoscopy for Children aged four years and above
  • Esophageal Manometry
  • Gastrostomy Tube Placement
  • pH Impedance Probe 
  • Rectal Suction Biopsy
  • Side Viewing Endoscopy
  • Therapeutic Endoscopy
  • Upper and Lower Endoscopy

Hydrogen BreathTracker Detects:

  • Fructose Intolerance
  • Glucose Intolerance
  • Lactose Intolerance
  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Sucrose Intolerance (Sucrose Deficiency)

Hydrogen BreathTracker Tests Available:

  • d-Xylose Breath test
  • Lactulose Breath test (commonly used for SIBO or Intestinal Transit Time) Sorbitol Breath Test

Additional Services

HBT Testing:

Children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, flatulence, bloating, and diarrhea can benefit from hydrogen breath tests (HBT). HBT is a simple, safe, non-invasive test that can detect sugar intolerances, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The Hydrogen BreathTracker Test, at El Paso Children’s Hospital, is the only one in El Paso exclusively for children.

Our Team

Denease Francis, M.D.
Denease Francis, M.D.
Denease Francis, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Program Director-Pediatric Residency
Board Certified in Pediatrics
Board Certified, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Maridine L. Co, M.D.
Maridine L. Co, M.D.
Maridine L. Co, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Board Certified, Pediatrics
Board Certified, Pediatric Gastroenterology

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