Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Diagnosis and Treatments

Life with a colorectal or pelvic anomaly does not have to include accidents, shame or embarrassment. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles delivers specialized care for these anomalies that gives children more control over bladder and bowel emptying.

Our highly skilled team offers all the services your child needs in one program. Comprehensive evaluations accurately diagnose conditions, many of which are rare and complex. And your child has access to the latest treatments. Our services help patients grow up happy, confident and able to experience an active childhood.

Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Services: Why Choose Us

Our specialists regularly care for children with difficult-to-treat anomalies. We use a team approach to help your child get the most out of treatment. Your child benefits from the combined expertise of surgeons, urologists (bladder experts), gastroenterologists (digestive health experts) and pediatricians. Meet our team.

Highlights of our program include:

Personalized care: We deliver age-appropriate care and adjust treatments as your child grows. We also consider unique anomaly features and how they impact your child. Our experts meet often to discuss cases and tailor therapies to your child’s needs.
Comprehensive evaluation: We offer advanced testing, including urodynamic studies. This test evaluates the body’s ability to store and release urine. We are also among the few programs with motility expertise. Gastrointestinal motility is the muscle movements that carry food through the digestive system. We use motility tests to assess bowel emptying. Explore colorectal and pelvic anomaly evaluation and diagnosis.
Pelvic anomaly treatments: Children’s Hospital is the only program in the region with urologists. These experts treat issues affecting the bladder, kidneys and nearby tissue. Our offerings include surgical and nonsurgical genitourinary malformation treatments.
Colorectal anomaly therapies: We help many children avoid poop accidents with nonsurgical care. Treatments include personalized bowel regimens and pelvic floor physical therapy. If surgery is necessary, we offer advanced options, some of which are not widely available. Learn more about colorectal malformation treatments.
Coordination: Our colorectal team helps families have a seamless care experience. These efforts include coordinating insurance approvals and appointments for additional tests. The team can also answer questions at the end of each clinic visit.

Patient- and Family-Centered Care

We understand the emotional and social effects of living with a colorectal or pelvic anomaly. Our patients often feel different from other children. Previous treatments can make the thought of more doctor’s appointments feel overwhelming. We appreciate where these feelings are coming from, and answer with compassion.

Our team creates a warm, welcoming care environment. All staff members have experience taking care of children with colorectal and pelvic anomalies. We explain conditions and what to expect in ways that are easier to understand. Psychologists and social workers provide extra support that makes treatment a little easier for your child and family.

Learn more about colorectal and pelvic anomaly patient and family resources.

Special Services for Children with Colorectal and Pelvic Anomalies

Our comprehensive approach includes special services from:

Primary care pediatricians

Children’s Hospital has one of the only colorectal and pelvic anomalies programs in the Western U.S. with a primary care pediatrician on the team. This expert specializes in treating children with complex medical needs. Your child benefits from integrated primary and specialty care.

Services our pediatricians provide include:

Getting school accommodations to support toileting needs, such as extra time.
Optimizing wellness by answering general health questions or providing primary care services.
Coordinating therapies or referrals for other medical conditions your child may have.

Gynecologists

These doctors specialize in issues affecting genital organs, including the vagina, uterus and ovaries. They treat anomalies such as cloaca malformation affecting a female’s reproductive organs.

Gynecologists identify issues that may impact a female’s ability to have sexual intercourse later in life. They also discuss the likelihood of becoming pregnant. Gynecologists counsel families about potential concerns and recommend treatments, which typically involve surgery.

Physical therapists

Physical therapists help improve how the body moves and functions. Many children with colorectal or pelvic anomalies have problems with their pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are essential for bowel and bladder control. Our physical therapists help your child learn how to control their pelvic floor muscles to improve bladder and bowel function.

Physical therapy provides benefits that complement other treatments, including medication and surgery. Surgery repairs physical anomalies but may not automatically improve function. Our physical therapists can teach your child strategies for better bladder and bowel control after surgery.

Social workers

Social workers provide valuable support to your family. Your child’s care may be complex with lots of moving pieces. Our social workers connect your family with resources that may help you throughout the care journey.

Urology psychologists

Having bladder or bowel problems may affect your child’s confidence or make them feel different from their peers. Our urology psychologists specialize in helping children cope with the social and emotional aspects of bladder and bowel problems. They can also help your child and your family adjust to living with a chronic condition.

Comprehensive Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Care for Children

We offer access to multiple pediatric subspecialists in one convenient location in Los Angeles. Find out more about our Colorectal Center.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment with a colorectal and pelvic anomaly specialist, call 323-361-5711.