This Gastroenterology Nursing issue is a "first" since I became editor in 1999. Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) President-Elect Lisa Heard is the guest editor of this issue, which is devoted entirely to pediatric gastroenterology nursing. As a nurse with expertise in caring for adults, I have always found it a bit daunting to care for children and infants. There are so many issues related to their developmental age, size (i.e., weight and height), comprehension, and fears. Amazingly, as a student, I thought I would love pediatrics because I always loved working with children as a teenager. I soon discovered during my pediatric rotation that I was constantly distraught over the children's pain, the "unfair" challenges life had thrown them related to their health, and the overwhelming amount of nursing knowledge required to accommodate a child's varied needs. Very quickly, I realized I could not be a pediatric nurse, and to this day, I greatly admire my colleagues who have the expertise, skills, and passion to care for these very precious patients.
Our authors for this issue have provided an excellent overview of gastroenterology disorders commonly seen in pediatrics. Guest Editor Lisa Heard has provided a stellar overview of care for the pediatric endoscopic patient based on Erikson's model of development. This article is a "must" for nurses who occasionally care for pediatric patients and need a quick refresher in the care of children. Clare Ceballos presents the fascinating results of a pediatric study correlating inflammatory bowel disease and growth (i.e., height). Stacee Lerret and colleague Joseph Skelton offer a thorough overview of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic liver disease that is unfortunately increasing in the United States in direct correlation with the increase in childhood obesity. Pediatric constipation and encopresis are highlighted in a detailed article by Lisa Philichi, who provides a thorough overview of care management, including medications typically used to manage these disorders in children. Finally, Mary-Alice Tully addresses pediatric celiac disease and the life-style changes required to manage this disorder.
Whether you are a nurse caring for pediatric patients, or simply reviewing this information to increase your knowledge of gastroenterology nursing care, I'm sure you will be stimulated by the excellent contributions provided by these pediatric experts.