At Children’s Wisconsin, our Eosinophilic Esophagitis Program is one of the nation’s leading programs for treating esophageal diseases in children. We’re experts in rare and complex conditions like TEF, esophageal atresia and esophageal achalasia.
We may coordinate your child’s care through the Aerodigestive Center. There, we bring together experts of all kinds, including those in:
- Pediatric surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Otolaryngology (ENT)
- Speech-language pathology
- Nutrition
This team works together to tailor a care plan for your child, all in one place. We also work with pain management, behavioral health and feeding therapy experts to provide complete care.
We are national leaders in esophageal care and actively involved in research. That means your child benefits from the latest innovations and most effective treatments.
Before Your Visit
We begin care with a full review of your child’s medical history and symptoms. Your child’s first visit may include:
- A full exam and consultation with members of our aerodigestive or GI motility teams
- Imaging tests, such as X-rays or a barium swallow, are used to look at the shape and movement of the esophagus
- A possible endoscopy to check for inflammation, narrowing or signs of disease
- Esophageal manometry to measure how well the esophagus muscles work (especially for achalasia)
During Treatment
Every child’s treatment journey is unique. Some children may need only medicine or dietary changes. Others need procedures or surgery.
No matter the treatment, we focus on comfort, safety and long-term success. Our team will support your family through each step of care. We’re there for you while your child is recovering from surgery or learning new feeding skills.
We also offer services like:
- Feeding therapy
- Speech-language support
- Behavioral and emotional health care
- Nutritional counseling and allergy support
Our experts work closely to reduce the number of visits your child needs to get care.
After Care and Long-Term Support
Some children with esophageal diseases recover fully after treatment. Others may need follow-up care to manage long-term effects. Our team will monitor your child’s health, growth and symptoms over time.
For kids with esophageal achalasia, most have lasting relief after surgery or procedures. Some may need feeding therapy or small diet changes as they adjust to eating again.
Children born with esophageal atresia or TEF may have long-term challenges.
These include:
- Trouble swallowing due to scarring or poor esophageal movement
- GERD, which is well managed with medicine
- Narrowed areas in the esophagus. These may need more procedures or surgery
We’re here to support your family for the long term, whether your child needs a few checkups or ongoing care. Our goal is always the same: helping your child feel well, eat comfortably and live a full, healthy life.