A photo of Maisam Abu-El-Haija.

Medical Director, Pancreas Care Center

Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology

Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

513-803-2123

Board Certified

My Biography & Research

Biography

I was inspired to pursue my career by children and knowing that their growth and health are so essential for them to reach their best potential. I enjoy making people feel better, and I believe in open communication between the provider and the family.

As a gastroenterologist, I specialize in pancreatic diseases, pancreatitis, growth and nutrition, and general gastroenterology-related diseases. Each of my patients and their families has unique needs, which need to be taken into account when making treatment decisions. What works for one patient may not work for another. I use evidence-based treatments and engage my patients in my thinking and decision-making, which is vital to the success of treatment.

I have won many awards, including the Clinical Care Achievement Award from Cincinnati Children’s. This award is for excellence in care provided to gastroenterology and pancreas patients.

In my research, I am focused on acute pancreatitis, predictive models for severe pancreatitis and diabetes that occurs after acute pancreatitis. I’m also actively working on research in acute recurrent chronic pancreatitis and total pancreatectomy islet auto-transplantation arenas.

In my free time I like to travel mostly, to explore new beaches when I can. My hobbies include exercise and doing outdoor activities with my family. I enjoy cooking with my children and trying new recipes without making a mess in the kitchen!

Additional Languages

Arabic

Academic Affiliation

Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

Divisions

Gastroenterology GI, Pancreas Care, Gastroenterology, Global Health

Cincinnati Children's Blog

Stomach Pain and Acute Pancreatitis

BlogRare and Complex Conditions

Stomach Pain and Acute Pancreatitis: Questions To Ask Your Child’s Doctor

By Maisam Abu-El-Haija, MD3/31/2016

My Locations

My Education

MBBS: Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan, 1997.

Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 2009.

Fellowship: Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 2012.

My Publications

Use of Lactated Ringers Solution Compared With Normal Saline Is Associated With Shorter Length of Stay in Pediatric Acute Pancreatitis. Farrell, PR; Farrell, LM; Hornung, L; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pancreas. 2020; 49:375-380.

Hypertriglyceridemia Induced Pancreatitis: Inpatient Management at a Single Pediatric Institution. Ippisch, HM; Alfaro-Cruz, L; Fei, L; Zou, Y; Thompson, T; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pancreas. 2020; 49:429-434.

Factors Associated with Frequent Opioid Use in Children with Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis. Perito, ER; Palermo, TM; Pohl, JF; Mascarenhas, M; Abu-El-Haija, M; Barth, B; Bellin, MD; Fishman, DS; Freedman, S; Gariepy, C; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2020; 70:106-114.

Web-based cognitive-behavioral intervention for pain in pediatric acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis: Protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial from the study of chronic pancreatitis, diabetes and pancreatic cancer (CPDPC). Palermo, TM; Murray, C; Aalfs, H; Abu-El-Haija, M; Barth, B; Bellin, MD; Ellery, K; Fishman, DS; Gariepy, CE; Giefer, MJ; et al. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2020; 88:105898-105898.

Patient-derived pancreas-on-a-chip to model cystic fibrosis-related disorders. Mun, KS; Arora, K; Huang, Y; Yang, F; Yarlagadda, S; Ramananda, Y; Abu-El-Haija, M; Palermo, JJ; Appakalai, BN; Nathan, JD; et al. Nature Communications. 2019; 10.

Diabetes Mellitus in Children with Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: Data from the INSPPIRE Cohort. Bellin, MD; Lowe, M; Zimmerman, MB; Wilschanski, M; Werlin, S; Troendle, DM; Shah, U; Schwarzenberg, SJ; Pohl, JF; Perito, E; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2019; 69:599-606.

Diabetes Mellitus in Children with Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: Data From the INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE Cohort. Bellin, MD; Lowe, M; Zimmerman, MB; Wilschanski, M; Werlin, S; Troendle, DM; Shah, U; Schwarzenberg, SJ; Pohl, JF; Perito, E; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2019; 69:599-606.

Sensitivity of Biochemical and Imaging Findings for the Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis in Children. Orkin, SH; Trout, AT; Fei, L; Lin, TK; Nathan, JD; Thompson, T; Vitale, DS; Abu-El-Haija, M. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2019; 213:143-148.e2.

Risk Factors for Rapid Progression From Acute Recurrent to Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: Report From INSPPIRE. Liu, QY; Abu-El-Haija, M; Husain, SZ; Barth, B; Bellin, M; Fishman, DS; Freedman, SD; Gariepy, CE; Giefer, MJ; Gonska, T; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2019; 69:206-211.

Pancreas Divisum in Pediatric Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis Report From INSPPIRE. Lin, TK; Abu-El-Haija, M; Nathan, JD; Palermo, JP; Barth, B; Bellin, M; Fishman, DS; Freedman, SD; Gariepy, CE; Giefer, MJ; et al. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2019; 53:e232-e238.