STAFF
Dr. Tawfiq Al Lawati, MD, MRCPCH, MPH, Sr. Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterology
H.H. Dr. Khoula Al Said, MD, American Board, Fellowship, Sr. Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Residents and Interns - One each on rotation.
The Pediatric Nephrology and Pediatric Neurology units also function within the ambit of this team.
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
The Pediatric Gastroenterology service was established at the Royal Hospital in 2005 and expanded in the year 2007. It is a dynamic unit with two senior consultants, a medical officer and an intern. Both Dr. Tawfiq Al Lawati and Dr. Khoula Al Said have been trained abroad and are highly committed to running a state-of-art service for children with acute and chronic gastrointestinal problems, in the midst of a friendly and efficient environment.
The unit has a high turnover and looks after all patients in Oman including preterm babies from the special care baby unit. The transition age is 13 years, when the care gets transferred to the adult Gastroenterology unit.
The unit admits patients with pre arranged appointments and receives acute admissions from the emergency department on a daily basis.
All endoscopic diagnostic procedures including upper and lower endoscopies are done routinely in a dedicated endoscopy suite, with Nursing Staff trained to look after children. All procedures are done under general anesthesia, administered by experienced Anesthetists. The unit also does interventional procedures including percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertions, esophageal dilatations, polypectomies and other standard procedures done in paediatric gastroenterology units. The paediatric gastroenterology team works closes with the adult gastroentology team with respect to specialized procedures like ERCP, capsule endoscopy and specialized basic manometry. The unit uses single sensor 24-hour esophageal pH metry for investigation of children suspected to have occult gastroesophageal reflux.
Liver biopsies are also commonly done by the Pediatric Gastroenterology team under ultrasound guidance short general anaesthesia.
In coordination with the Radiologists and Speech Therapist, the unit performs barium swallow studies for a variety of reasons and works closely with the Speech Therapist for further management of patients with special needs.
The Pediatric Gastroenterologists are integrally connected to the Pediatric Surgeons, which whom they enjoy a close relationship in providing joint care for many patients with gastrointestinal or nutritional problems.
The team strives to remain updated and keeps pace with rapid advances being made in terms of knowledge and practices in Pediatric Gastroenterology. All team members attend international conferences annually and participate in local symposia and teaching activities.
Pediatric Gastroenterology
