A photo of Maisam Abu-El-Haija.

Maisam A. Abu-El-Haija, MD, MS

  • Medical Director, Pancreas Care Center
  • Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
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.

About

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!

MBBS: Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan, 2003.

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.

Services and Specialties

Gastroenterology GI, Pancreas Care

Research Areas

Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Global Health

Additional Languages

Arabic

Insurance Information

Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.

View Insurance Information

Publications

Nutrition management and pancreatitis in children: new insights. Dike, CR; Abu-El-Haija, M. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 2022; 25:321-324.

Clinical insights into drug-associated pancreatic injury. Barakat, MT; Abu-El-Haija, M; Husain, SZ. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. 2022; 38:482-486.

Analysis of INSPPIRE-2 Cohort: Risk Factors and Disease Burden in Children with Acute Recurrent or Chronic Pancreatitis. Uc, A; Cress, G; Wang, F; Abu-El-Haija, MA; Ellery, KM; Fishman, DS; Gariepy, CE; Gonska, T; Lin, TK; Liu, Q; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2022.

Interobserver Agreement for CT and MRI Findings of Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: A Multicenter Ancillary Study Under the INSPPIRE Consortium. Trout, AT; Abu-El-Haija, M; Anupindi, SA; Marine, MB; Murati, M; Phelps, AS; Rees, MA; Squires, JH; Ellery, KM; Gariepy, CE; et al. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2022; 219:303-313.

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pancreatitis and Cystic Fibrosis. Cuneo, AA; Abu-El-Haija, M; Marsac, ML; Verstraete, S; Heyman, MB; Ly, N; Perito, ER. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2022.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation in a child with pancreatic kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. Kaj-Carbaidwala, B; Bernieh, A; Russi, AE; Miethke, AG; Abu-El-Haija, M; Trout, AT; Gupta, A; Ricci, KW; Nathan, JD. Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports. 2022; 81.

Interventional endoscopy for abdominal transplant patients. Lin, TK; Abu-El-Haija, M; Gurria, JP; Saad, M; Vitale, DS. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery. 2022; 31.

Pancreas volumes and predictive factors in healthy children. Qiu, L; Dillman, JR; Sun, Q; Fei, L; Abu-El-Haija, M; Trout, AT. Pediatric Radiology. 2022.

Ultrasound findings of acute pancreatitis in children. Trout, AT; Patel, R; Nathan, JD; Lin, TK; Vitale, DS; Nasr, A; Zhang, B; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pediatric Radiology. 2022.

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography vs Endoscopy Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Detection of Anatomic Variants of the Pancreatic Duct in Children. Lin, TK; Vitale, DS; Abu-El-Haija, M; Anton, CG; Crotty, E; Li, Y; Zhang, B; Trout, AT. Journal of Pediatrics. 2022; 244:120-124.

From the 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

Patient Ratings and Comments

All patient satisfaction ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and verified by a leading independent patient satisfaction company, NRC Health. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Only those providers whose satisfaction surveys are administered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are displayed. Click here to learn more about our survey