The Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Melbourne provides expert comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation and management of all paediatric gastrointestinal and liver conditions. We have an international reputation as a leader in clinical care, research and fellowship training in paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and clinical nutrition. We lead and contribute to a number of cutting-edge multi-centre international research projects and trials. Our quaternary service comprises outpatient and inpatient care, and a comprehensive variety of investigations and treatments, including a dedicated endoscopy theatre. We provide treatment for children from Victoria and Tasmania. The liver transplant service also provides care for children from South Australia, and a national intestinal transplant service provides transplantation and care for children throughout Australia.

Conditions 

Our family centred service offers care for neonates, infants, children and young adults with a wide variety of conditions:

General gastrointestinal conditions which include:

• Chronic refractory constipation

Coeliac disease

Crohn's disease 

Cystic fibrosis associated gastrointestinal disease

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders 

Food allergy

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Helicobacter pylori

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS)

Malabsorption disorders

Motility disorders

Pancreatitis: Acute and chronic

Ulcerative colitis

Irritable Bowel syndrome

Liver conditions which include:

• Acute liver failure
• Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Biliary atresia
• Fatty liver disease
• Metabolic liver disease
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Viral hepatitis
• Wilson's disease

Complex nutritional conditions which include:

• Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
• Intestinal failure
• Nutritional programs associated with other complex disorders (eg. oncological, immunological, gastrointestinal conditions)
• Short-gut syndrome

Investigations and treatments

We offer a comprehensive variety of investigations and treatments:

Investigations:

• Capsule endoscopy
• Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy: gastroscopy and colonoscopy
• Fibroscan
• High resolution oesophageal and ano-rectal manometry
• Multi-channel pH and impedance monitoring

Treatments:

• Biliary stents
• Exclusive enteral nutrition
  
• Intestinal transplantation
• Liver biopsy
• Liver transplantation
• Parenteral nutrition: Inpatient and Home Parental Nutrition program
• Surgical porto systemic shunts
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Team

Our collaborative multidisciplinary team comprises of paediatric Gastroenterologists and fellows, clinical nutrition Consultants and fellows, paediatric and transplant surgeons, advanced practice nurses, paediatric interventional radiologists, dietitians and allied health specialists.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease service

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service provides care for over 400 complex IBD patients within the state and is one of the largest units in Australia. We provide comprehensive care for our patients from the point of referral right through to diagnosis, treatment and long term management. We have dedicated IBD clinics and patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team. Our service is supported by the expertise of our subspecialty colleagues from Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology,and Immunisation Specialists. We have a large day medical unit where patients can receive biological and iron infusions. We work in close collaboration with our adult colleagues to ensure a smooth transition to the adult services for our patients.

Intestinal failure services

We have an integrated intestinal failure and rehabilitation service, providing patients with a unique opportunity to be evaluated, supported and treated by a world class and innovative team of medical, nursing, surgical specialists and allied health specialists in gastrointestinal diseases and parenteral nutrition therapy.

Liver disease, liver transplantation and intestinal transplantation services

In partnership with Austin Health, we form the Victorian Liver Transplant Unit and Australian Intestinal Transplant Service , providing liver transplant service for the children and adolescents of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, and a national intestinal transplant service to patients within Victoria, and other states as required. Liver disease, and liver and intestinal transplantation services are supported by dedicated Clinical Nurse Consultants. The RCH Liver Transplant Program is an Australian Nationally Funded Centre Program. The Royal Children Hospital has performed over one hundred paediatric liver transplants in partnership with Austin Health. In 2012 the team performed Australia’s first paediatric intestinal transplant.

Links to more information:

Victorian Liver Transplant Unit: Annual report 2017-2018

Austin Health liver transplant unit 

The Victorian Liver and Intestinal Transplant resources website for patients and families. The site will be regularly updated with news and information about the world of liver and intestinal transplantation. The Forum section of the site provides a safe place to communicate with your peers in the transplant community.

The links below are uploaded for the 100th liver transplant celebration (RCH):

https://vimeo.com/61861344

https://vimeo.com/111818390

https://vimeo.com/74271716