Motility Center

Meet Our Team 

Our Motility Team is expert in caring for children with motility disorders because:

• Our specialists are considered among the best in the world in diagnosing and treating pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders.
• We use advanced diagnostic techniques that are only offered a few places in the world.
• We treat patients using a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach.
• We are committed to research to uncover new, more effective treatment options.

Carlo Di Lorenzo

Carlo Di Lorenzo, MD, is Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital where he holds the Robert F. and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Desalegn T. Yacob

Desale Yacob, MD, is an attending pediatric gastroenterologist, Medical Director of the Motility Center and Director of Gastroenterology and Motility for the Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Conditions

Achalasia

Achalasia happens when there are problems with the nerve cells in the muscles of the esophagus. It makes is hard to swallow foods and liquids.

Chronic Constipation

Many kids will experience occasional bouts of constipation during their childhood. Chronic constipation is a slightly different, yet much more challenging condition to treat.

Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a rare disorder of gastrointestinal motility where coordinated contractions (peristalsis) in the intestinal tract become altered and inefficient. Motility is the term used to describe the contraction of muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach contracts less often and less powerfully, causing food and liquids to stay in the stomach for a long time.

Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung disease, also known as megacolon, is a congenital condition that causes blockage of the intestine. The blockage is caused by a lack of nerves in the bottom segment of the colon. Children with Hirschsprung disease will need surgery to remove the non-functional segment of the intestine.

Rumination Syndrome

Rumination syndrome is a condition where people constantly regurgitate and either vomit or re-swallow their food or drink soon after eating. Rumination syndrome falls into a category of GI conditions called functional gastrointestinal disorders. Symptoms of rumination syndrome can look different from person to person.

Services We Offer

Sacral Nerve Stimulation Clinic

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a promising new technique offered to children who experience urinary and/or fecal incontinence or chronic constipation after other treatments have been unsuccessful. Patients meet with a multi-disciplinary team that determines the individualized treatment plan.

Refer a Patient to the Motility Center

Our Motility Center requires a referral from a managing GI provider to ensure they are seen by the appropriate member of our team and facilitate a timely and most comprehensive evaluation. This means that we cannot accept patient self-referrals.

• Referring GI providers can contact the Motility Center by calling (614) 722-3456.
• To assist us in evaluating your patient and determining an appropriate plan of care, without sending the entire patient record, please fax us the following pertinent clinical data to (614) 722-3454:

If the required information listed below has not been received, the referral will become inactive:

1. From GI physician, a detailed summary letter outlining patient’s medical history and reason for the referral.
2. Patient demographics, including parents' names, current address, and valid phone numbers.
3. Copy of insurance card(s), front and back, to include contact information.
4. Most recent GI office visit note related to reason for referral; to include most recent height, weight, and date obtained; current medication and allergy lists; and current formula or diet regimen.  
5. Copy of hospital admission summary relative to the reason for referral to our facility.
6. Reports and tracings of all previous GI-related testing, such as:
   1. Imaging studies (barium enema, upper GI, KUB, sitz marker, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, gastric emptying, etc.)
   2. Allergy, thyroid function, sweat chloride, etc.  
   3. Procedures (colonoscopy, manometry, endoscopy, biopsy, ph probes, breath test, etc.)

Once records are received and reviewed, we will contact you with an update on the plan of care that our Motility Team has determined.  If motility testing is determined to be indicated, please be aware that we have an approximate four-month waiting list.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Refer a Patient