Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Diseases Program (GEDP)
Improving Quality of Life for Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and other Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Dr. Glenn Furuta, director of the
Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Diseases
Program, examines a patient.
The Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Diseases Program (GEDP) at Children's Hospital Colorado and National Jewish Health is dedicated to providing outstanding multidisciplinary care for children with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). This team of medical professionals from two world-class healthcare institutions is the only multidisciplinary program caring for children with EGIDs in the Midwestern United States and Rocky Mountain Region.
About Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGIDs)
EGIDs are a group of diseases characterized by a wide variety of gastrointestinal symptoms including:
- Vomiting
- Swallowing problems
- Food impaction
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Slow growth
- Bleeding
Conditions We Treat
These symptoms occur in combination with increased numbers of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal lining. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that has been primarily associated with allergic diseases but are also found in other diseases.
Depending on the part of the GI tract affected, EGIDs can be called a variety of different names such as:
Services We Provide
The mission of the Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Diseases Program is to improve the quality of life for patients and families affected by EGIDs. The GEDP offers a comprehensive evaluation for patients suspected of having EGIDs and for children who have a previously established diagnosis.
Patients referred to the GEDP will receive a thorough review of their:
- Medical records
- Pathology slides
- Endoscopic procedures
- Allergy tests
A multidisciplinary evaluation is coordinated by a physician assistant and nurse and may also involve board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists and allergists, nutritionists, and feeding specialists when appropriate. Specialized social work services as well as psychological services are readily available. Additional testing may need to be performed including endoscopy, allergy testing and radiographic analysis.
Treatment
Treatment options will be reviewed and discussed in detail with families and appropriate support provided. Follow up will occur by telephone and during future appointments.
Research
Research protocols that seek to determine the cause of EGIDs, offer novel treatment plans and improve the quality of care are a significant part of the mission of the GEDP. Interested patients are offered the opportunity to participate in any protocol. Charitable gifts and research grants to support this research have been provided by the National Institutes of Health, Thrasher Foundation, Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease, American Partnership for Eosinophilic Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association and many generous families.
Resources
Contact Us
Email the care team or call (720) 777-6669.
