Investigators in NYU Langone’s Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology work to advance the understanding of and treatments for gastrointestinal diseases in children. Research in the division focuses on a range of conditions, including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), eosinophilic esophagitis, and fatty liver disease.

Faculty members study the effects of celiac disease on the kidneys; quality of life for children with celiac disease, as well in their families; and the environmental triggers of the condition. In addition, faculty have reported evidence suggesting an association between type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.

Research activities on IBD involve performing metabolic analyses and studying treatment responses in children with IBD. The research also includes advanced understanding of immune response in children with this chronic condition, and faculty are working on projects designed to improve quality of life for patients with IBD.

Investigators are studying microscopic changes seen in eosinophilic esophagitis and patient responses to therapy. They have also identified inflammatory responses in eosinophilic esophagitis that are related to the overexpression of growth factors.

The division’s research on fatty liver disease involves study of the condition in underserved patient populations. Investigators continue to measure inflammation in feeding disorders, including a study of pediatric dysphagia caused by rare congenital malformations called esophageal bronchogenic cysts.