Pediatric Achalasia Diagnosis and Treatment

Gastroenterology at Comer Children's

Our pediatric gastroenterologist will listen carefully to your child’s medical history. The more specific that parents and children can be about symptoms, the better. More common conditions that cause swallowing problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), will need to be ruled out. Sometimes this will involve prescribing medicine to treat GERD to see if that relieves symptoms.

Pediatric Achalasia Diagnosis

If achalasia is suspected, your child will likely undergo some or all of the following tests.

Esophagram

This radiology study allows our radiologists to see the structure of your child’s esophagus. When a child has achalasia, the shape of the esophagus is shaped like a funnel, getting more and more narrow towards the bottom. Your child will need to swallow a small amount of barium contrast for this study.

Upper Endoscopy

Your child’s physician may recommend an upper endoscopy to see inside the esophagus, which involves threading a thin tube (endoscope) with a tiny camera down the throat and into the esophagus. Children are sedated so they will not feel any pain. This test helps rule out inflammatory conditions that could be causing swallowing problems, including eosinophilic esophagitis.

Esophageal Manometry

This specialized test allows us to test the pressure in different areas of the esophagus, which can help diagnose achalasia.

Treatment Options for Pediatric Achalasia

Two treatments are available that can temporarily relieve achalasia symptoms in infants and children. Each of these treatments will open up the esophagus for a period of time, ranging from approximately two to 10 years. When symptoms recur, the procedures can be repeated.

Our pediatric gastroenterologists and surgeons can provide more details about each of these procedures and help you determine the best option for your child. When possible, we encourage older children to learn about treatment options and be involved in choosing the one that will work best for them.

Esophagomyotomy

Pediatric surgeons at Comer Children’s perform this surgery through small incisions near the bottom of the esophagus. They insert a thin tube, or laparoscope, which contains tiny surgical instruments. Then the surgeon makes little cuts in the muscle of the esophagus, which helps open up the esophagus so food can pass through more easily.

We use a minimally invasive approach so children recover faster than they do after traditional open surgery. Although, children may need to stay in the hospital for a day or two. This surgical procedure is considered the gold standard treatment for achalasia in children because it can provide symptom relief for five to 10 years.

Balloon Dilation

In this procedure, we will insert a thin tube (endoscope) down the throat and thread it to the lower esophagus. Then, a small balloon is slowly inflated from the endoscope and slowly inflated. This stretches the lower esophagus so that food can pass through. Children usually go home the same day. While this procedure can successfully treat achalasia, symptoms may return in two to five years.

Meet Our Pediatric Achalasia Physician Team

Robert T. Kavitt, MD, MPH

Gastroenterology

Tiffany Patton, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterology

Request an Appointment

The information you provide will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment.

You can also make an appointment with our providers by:

– Scheduling a virtual video visit to see a provider from the comfort of your home

– Requesting an online second opinion from our specialists

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-888-824-0200. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

* Required Field

Specialty * Please choose a specialty

Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Patient's First Name * Please enter a first name

Patient's Last Name * Please enter a last name

Patient's Date of Birth * Please enter a valid day

Email Address *

Phone Number * Please enter your phone number

Reason For Appointment *

Learn More About Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

What families need to know about managing a child's celiac disease

Pediatric irritable bowel syndrome and pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: What’s the difference?

Gluten-free guide to college: How celiac disease patients can prepare for a gluten-free lifestyle on campus

What young athletes should eat before and after the game

Student athletes need to eat healthy meals to perform their best in all sports. Pediatric gastroenterologist Timothy Sentongo, MD, discusses what your child should eat before, during and after athletics.