Our commitment to improving the quality of life for children with pediatric colorectal conditions is shown through a seamless and personalized continuum of care—from diagnosis to treatment, all the way through rehabilitation and aftercare.
Bringing Trusted Pediatric Colorectal Care to Children Worldwide
Our program offers virtual consultations, allowing us to provide expert care to patients anywhere in the world. No matter where you are, we are committed to delivering personalized medical support right to your location.
Our Providers
Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.
Why Choose Us for Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction?
As the only pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstructive program in the nation with this level of expertise, there are many reasons to choose Children’s National for your child’s treatment and care. In addition to our integrated team, we offer:
- Access to the most experienced and renowned pediatric colorectal specialists in the field.
- Exceptional surgical expertise for even the most complex colorectal disorders.
- Dedicated, compassionate nurses, nurse practitioners and physician associates who are specially-trained in caring for patients with complex pediatric colorectal disorders.
- The latest advanced diagnostic and surgical treatment, using minimally invasive surgeries and techniques.
- Stoma therapy and skin care teams (including certified wound ostomy nurses who care for children with stomas or skin breakdown issues).
- Breakthrough research and clinical trials.
- Prenatal counseling, support and fetal medicine.
- Endoscopic evaluations and motility studies with our partners in Gastroenterology.
- A comprehensive Bowel Management Program to help achieve optimal bowel function.
- Coordinated care with providers in the Pelvic Physical Therapy Program.
- Colorectal care for life through the Colorectal Transition Program.
Colorectal Procedures By the Numbers
Marc Levitt, MD, and the Division of Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction at Children’s National Hospital are leading the world in caring for pediatric patients with colon, rectal and pelvic conditions. In addition to the procedures listed here, the team also has vast experience in “redo” operations or surgeries. These “redo” surgeries are needed when a patient’s previous surgery took place at another hospital, and now the anatomy needs corrections to improve the possibility of bowel control.
Over the past 25+ years, Dr. Levitt and his teams have performed:
2,000+
Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasties (PSARPs) (including 400+ since joining Children's National in 2019) | This procedure is a repair for children with imperforate anus/anorectal malformations (ARM).
1,000+
Pull-Through Surgeries (including 200+ since joining Children's National in 2019) | This procedure is for patients with Hirschsprung's disease. We handle one to two such cases per week.
500+
Malone Appendicostomies (including 50+ annually since joining Children's National in 2019) | This operation helps children with fecal incontinence, ultimately helping some achieve their own bowel control.
1,000+
Posterior Sagittal Anorectal Vagino-Urethroplasty (PSARVUPs) | This procedure is a cloacal reconstruction for patients with a cloacal malformation. This is the most technically difficult pediatric colorectal operation and requires unique experience and expertise. This number exceeds any other pediatric colorectal surgeon in the world.
Our Unique Approach to Pediatric Colorectal Disorders
Integrated Care
Our multidisciplinary Division of Pediatric Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction integrates services across all the specialties that provide care for colorectal conditions in children. Colorectal procedures are often combined with urologic and gynecologic procedures to minimize the amount of surgeries a child may require.
Surgical Expertise
Our team's surgical experts collaborate to solve the most complex patient needs. Our surgical team includes (from left to right): Urologists Briony Varda, MD, MPH (seated), and Christina Ho, MD; Gastroenterologist Vibha Sood, MD; Colorectal Surgeons Marc Levitt, MD, Andrea Badillo, MD (seated), and Christina Feng, MD; and Pediatric Gynecologists Allison Mayhew, MD (seated), Swetha Naroji, MD, and Kirsten Das, MD (seated).
About Colorectal Care at Children's National
Our division is led by world-renowned pediatric colorectal surgeon, Marc Levitt, MD, who has expertise in treating the full spectrum of pediatric colorectal conditions and has performed over 15,000 surgeries — more than any other surgeon trained in pediatric colorectal surgery worldwide. Learn more about Dr. Levitt and our Division of Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction.
Our collaborative approach offers treatment from experts across multiple medical disciplines, including:
- Colorectal surgeons and nurses
- Gastroenterologists
- Gynecologists
- Neurosurgeons
- Nutritionists
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Prenatal pediatrics
- Urologists
- Radiologists
Collaborating to Provide Your Child the Best Care
Our medical team discusses individual patient cases during weekly conferences to create a customized treatment plan that addresses each child’s unique needs. Our surgeons are accustomed to performing multiple, complex procedures at the same time. Parents and families work closely with our specialists to receive education about their child’s colorectal disorder, discuss diagnostic and treatment options and engage in a shared decision-making process. Learn how you can help your child prepare for surgical procedures (PDF).
Getting Ready for Your First Appointment?
To streamline the process, we strongly encourage that you complete our intake form. Once your child’s medical records have been received, we will review their information and contact you to schedule an appointment.
Ask Dr. Levitt About Your Child's Diagnosis
Was your newborn child recently diagnosed with an anorectal malformation, imperforate anus, cloaca or Hirschsprung's disease? If so, Marc Levitt, MD, is here to provide answers to your questions.
Our Specialized Programs
Bowel Management Program
We offer a comprehensive Bowel Management Program that provides customized treatment for children who experience fecal incontinence.
Colorectal Transition Program
The Colorectal Transition Program helps children with congenital or acquired colorectal conditions transition their care from pediatric care providers to adult care providers.
Pelvic Physical Therapy Program
Our Pelvic Physical Therapy (PT) Program provides children and adolescents with pelvic floor dysfunction the guidance and coaching they need to optimize functioning of the pelvic floor muscles.
Conditions We Treat
Understanding your child's condition is an important step on your treatment journey. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and diagnosis for a variety of pediatric colorectal conditions, as well as unique treatments and research being performed at Children's National Hospital.
Treatments & Resources
Review these materials to find out more about the diagnosis, treatment and other aspects of your child's condition.
Caring for Your Child's Colorectal Disorder
Learn how to care for your child from diagnosis to treatment, all the way through long-term aftercare.
Colorectal Employee Stories
Learn about the stories and experiences of team members in the colorectal program.
