Uncommon Infant and Newborn Problems—Digestive Diseases

Also called: Gastrointestinal diseases

When you eat, your body breaks food down to a form it can use to build and nourish cells and provide energy. This process is called digestion.

Your digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube. It runs from your mouth to your anus and includes your esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Your liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also involved. They produce juices to help digestion.

There are many types of digestive disorders. The symptoms vary widely depending on the problem. In general, you should see your doctor if you have

Blood in your stool
Changes in bowel habits
Severe abdominal pain
Unintentional weight loss
Heartburn not relieved by antacids

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Digestive diseases (Medical Encyclopedia)
EGD discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
Fecal fat (Medical Encyclopedia)
Gastrointestinal fistula (Medical Encyclopedia)
Gastrointestinal perforation (Medical Encyclopedia)
Lower GI Series – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Stools – floating (Medical Encyclopedia)
Upper GI and small bowel series (Medical Encyclopedia)

It can be scary when your baby is sick, especially when it is not an everyday problem like a cold or a fever. You may not know whether the problem is serious or how to treat it. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, call your health care provider right away.

Learning information about your baby’s condition can help ease your worry. Do not be afraid to ask questions about your baby’s care. By working together with your health care provider, you make sure that your baby gets the best care possible.