Children’s functional gut clinic

At Cromwell Hospital, we provide specialist, evidence‑based care to help diagnose and manage gut-brain conditions in children.

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are common in children and teenagers. They can have a significant impact on daily life, affecting school attendance, sleep, and quality of life.

At the functional gut clinic, we use specialist tests and a multidisciplinary team of experts to help find answers sooner. Our goal is to reduce the long period of uncertainty that many children and families face, and to provide a clear diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan as quickly as possible.

Our clinic follows the same approach used at leading children’s centres around the world. We recognise functional gut conditions as real, medical conditions and support patients with the right tests and coordinated care from a dedicated team.

What are DGBIs?

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) are conditions that cause ongoing or repeated digestive symptoms, even though no physical damage is found on standard tests.

They involve complex interactions between the brain and digestive tract, including:

  • Sensitive gut nerves (visceral hypersensitivity): The nerves in the gut can become more sensitive, which means normal digestion may be felt as pain, bloating, or discomfort.
  • Changes in gut movement (altered motility): The muscles of the digestive system may move food too quickly, too slowly, or out of rhythm. This can lead to symptoms such as constipation, reflux, or abdominal pain.
  • Changes in gut bacteria: Differences in the balance of bacteria in the gut can affect digestion, the immune system, and how the gut sends messages to the brain.
  • How the brain processes signals: The brain may amplify signals coming from the gut, making symptoms feel stronger or more distressing than expected.

Symptoms we assess

We focus on symptoms, because this is how children experience their illness and how families usually look for help. Our service supports children with:

  • ongoing tummy pain with no clear cause
  • severe or long‑lasting constipation that is difficult to treat
  • problems with how food moves through the digestive system (gut motility)
  • reflux that does not improve with treatment
  • difficulty tolerating feeds or eating
  • digestive symptoms following surgery, where gut movement may be affected

Diagnostic tests

We offer a range of specialist tests to help understand how the digestive system is working.

Assesses how the muscles and nerves of the rectum and anus are working, helping to identify causes of constipation or difficulty passing stools.

A therapy‑based test and treatment that helps children learn how to relax and use their pelvic floor muscles correctly, particularly helpful for constipation and bowel emptying difficulties.

A simple breath test used to identify food intolerances or conditions such as lactose intolerance or bacterial overgrowth in the gut.

A comprehensive review involving specialists from different disciplines to understand symptoms as a whole and develop a personalised care plan.

Measures how well the muscles and nerves of the oesophagus, stomach, and upper intestine work together to move food through the gut.

Measures acid and non‑acid reflux over a full day to understand how often reflux happens and whether symptoms match reflux episodes.

Paying for your treatment

We welcome both self-paying and insured patients.

Our locations

Contact us today

Our team will be happy to answer any questions and book your appointment.

Self-pay: +44 (0)20 7244 4886
Insured: +44 (0)20 7460 5700

Private paediatric gastroenterologists in London

Book an appointment today

Call us now for appointment bookings, general queries, and personalised quotes.

Alternatively, you can contact us using our online form.