Top 3 Pediatric Gastroenterology Specialists in Amman 2026

When do you need a pediatric gastroenterologist?

Pediatric gastroenterology deals with the digestive system, liver and nutrition of babies, children and teenagers. Your child's regular paediatrician can handle most tummy upsets, short bouts of diarrhoea or occasional constipation. Children are usually referred to a specialist when a problem lasts, keeps coming back, affects growth, or needs more specialised investigation.

Signs that are worth discussing with a pediatric gastroenterologist include:

• Constipation that lasts for weeks, is painful, or keeps returning despite the advice you were given
• Diarrhoea that lasts more than a couple of weeks, or loose stools that keep coming back
• Repeated vomiting or reflux, especially when the baby feeds poorly or gains weight slowly
• Poor weight gain, weight loss, or a child dropping across the lines of the growth chart
• Recurring tummy pain that disrupts sleep, school or play
• Blood or mucus in the stool
• Feeding difficulties, very selective eating, or concerns about nutrition
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes beyond the first couple of weeks of life, or abnormal liver test results
• A suspected food-related problem, such as coeliac disease or a reaction to cow's milk, that your paediatrician wants assessed further

Warning signs that need urgent care

Do not wait for a clinic appointment if your child has any of the following. Go to an emergency department, or call 911 in Jordan:

• Green (bile-stained) vomiting, or vomiting blood
• Large amounts of blood in the stool, or black, tarry stools
• Severe or worsening tummy pain, or a swollen, hard abdomen
• Signs of dehydration: very few wet nappies or little urine, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, or unusual drowsiness
• A baby who is floppy, hard to wake, or refusing all feeds
• Pale, chalky stools together with yellow skin in a young baby. This needs prompt same-day medical assessment.

How to choose among the doctors here

All four doctors on this page list pediatric gastroenterology as a sub-specialty. The practical differences lie in their published focus, locations and hours.

• Match the concern to the listed services. For liver problems, three profiles list pediatric hepatology: Dr. Al-Ghazawi, Dr. Aliwat and Dr. Al Mhairat. Dr. Al-Ghazawi also lists a paediatric liver assessment. For feeding and growth, Dr. Al Zubaidi lists feeding and growth follow-up and nutritional assessment. For constipation, Dr. Al Mhairat explicitly lists childhood constipation assessment.
• Read the published training. Each profile shows the qualifications the doctor has published, such as fellowships and board certifications. Read them on the profile rather than relying on word of mouth.
• Confirm appointments with King Hussein Cancer Center before visiting; a verified schedule is not available for each physician. Consult the current physician profile to arrange a visit.
• Think about the journey. Children with tummy pain or frequent bowel movements do not travel well. A clinic you can reach easily makes follow-up visits simpler, and these conditions often need several.
• Language. Dr. Al Zubaidi's profile lists Arabic and English. For the others, ask the clinic if language matters to your family.
• Ask your paediatrician. If your child already has a paediatrician, ask which specialist they usually refer to. Ask them to send a referral letter with the child's growth chart and test results.

Remember that the list order reflects profile completeness, not skill or outcomes. When parents search for the best pediatric gastroenterology specialists in Amman, the most useful match is the doctor whose focus, location and hours fit their child's situation.

What to expect at the first visit

A first consultation usually involves a detailed history and a measurement of weight and height. The doctor will examine your child, including the tummy, and then discuss whether any tests are needed and what the next steps are.

How to prepare

• Keep a symptom diary for one to two weeks. Note how often your child opens their bowels, what the stool looks like, any pain, vomiting, and what was eaten. A photo of an unusual stool can help the doctor understand what you are describing.
• Bring the growth record. Previous weights and heights are often more informative than a single measurement.
• List all medicines, including syrups, supplements, probiotics and herbal remedies, with the doses you have been giving.
• Bring previous results. This includes blood tests, stool tests, ultrasound or other imaging reports, and any discharge summaries.
• Do not start restrictive diets on your own before the visit. For example, removing gluten before testing can make coeliac disease harder to diagnose. Do not stop prescribed medicines without medical advice either.

Questions worth asking

• What are the likely causes of my child's symptoms, and which ones need ruling out?
• Which tests do you recommend, and how should my child prepare for them?
• What changes at home, in diet or routine, are reasonable to try now?
• Which signs should make me return sooner or go to the emergency department?
• When should we follow up, and how will results be shared with us?

Insurance, fees and booking: what to ask before the appointment

Fees, insurance arrangements and booking procedures differ between private clinics and hospital-based clinics. Confirm the details directly with the clinic before you go:

• What is the consultation fee, and does it include a follow-up visit within a set period?
• Is my insurer accepted at this clinic, and does the policy need prior approval for the consultation or for tests?
• Do I need a referral letter, particularly for a clinic inside a large hospital or specialised centre?
• If tests are ordered, can they be done on the same day, and does my child need to fast beforehand?
• How long is the usual wait for a first appointment, and is there a way to be seen sooner if symptoms worsen?
• Which payment methods are accepted?

Getting there

Amman is home to around 5 million people, and traffic at peak times can turn a short distance into a long trip. Allow extra time, especially with a child who is unwell.

• Dr. Al Mhairat sees patients at Specialty Hospital in Shmeisani, in outpatient building A, second floor, clinic 7. Ask at reception for the outpatient building if it is your first visit.
• Dr. Aliwat's clinic is at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jubeiha. Large centres have several entrances, so ask the clinic which one to use and where to park.
• Dr. Al Zubaidi and Dr. Al-Ghazawi see patients at hospital outpatient clinics in other parts of the capital. Check the full address on each profile and plan your route before the day.

If your child has frequent bowel movements or vomiting, pack spare clothes, wipes and a bag. Bring water or a feed unless the clinic has asked for fasting before tests.

Checklist before you book

• The doctor's listed services match your child's main concern (digestion, liver, nutrition, growth or constipation)
• The confirmed hours fit your schedule, and the location is practical for repeat visits
• You have confirmed the consultation fee and whether follow-up is included
• You have checked whether your insurer is accepted and whether approval or a referral is needed
• You have a symptom and food diary covering the last one to two weeks
• You have the growth record, medication list and previous test results ready
• You have written down your questions
• You know the urgent warning signs, and that 911 is the emergency number in Jordan