Pediatric Gastroenterology Conference to Discuss Functional Abdominal Pain and IBS

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Columbus Childrens Hospital will support a one-day thematic educational and research conference titled, New Insights into Childhood Functional Abdominal Pain and IBS, as a pre-conference meeting, prior to the 2007 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Meeting and Postgraduate Course.

More than 20 multidisciplinary health care professionals will present and serve as moderators for the day-long program, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, the day before the three-day NASPGHAN event.

Functional abdominal pain is defined as the presence of ongoing abdominal pain, with no easily detected, identifiable physiological cause. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Both conditions are among the most common complaints among pediatric patients treated by gastroenterologists.

Carlo Di Lorenzo, MD, chief of the GI Division at Columbus Childrens Hospital and one of the lead presenters, said the program will be an opportunity for a variety of disciplines to share knowledge.

The program will have a multidisciplinary focus that will include etiology and pathophysiology associated with both conditions, Dr. Di Lorenzo said. Discussion will also include leading treatment modalities and the latest news in research, presented by the leading clinical specialists from across the country.

The program will begin with an introductory session, followed by successive moderated discussions on the following topics:

 Etiology and Pathophysiology
-Genetics
-Early Life Events
-Environment
-Psychological Factors
-Basic Mechanisms of IBS

 Lessons Learned from Other Specialties
-Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
-Migraine
-Autonomic Dysfunction

 Rome III
-History of Rome Foundation and Evolution of the Rome Criteria
-Has Rome Helped the Field?
-Will Rome Help Pediatrics?

 Treatment
-Pharmacology
-Psychological / Cognitive Behavioral
-Alternative Medicine

 Research Agenda
-The Role of NIH
-The Role of the Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industry
-Consortia
-Protocol Proposals

The program will be informative for a variety of medical professionals, including pediatric physicians, clinical nurse practitioners, nursing professionals and psychologists. A total of eight continuing medical education hours (CMEs) will be available. For complete registration, contact NASPGHAN National Office at 215-233-0808 or e-mail naspghan@naspghan.org.

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Columbus Childrens Hospital ranks among the best pediatric gastroenterology programs nationally, providing advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques and ground-breaking clinical research for a broad range of gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional problems. Led by Carlo Di Lorenzo, MD, and a team of world-class physicians, the division is regarded among the leading centers for treating pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, polyposis and short bowel syndrome.