A photo of Maisam Abu-El-Haija.

Medical Director, Pancreas Care Center

Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology

Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

513-803-2123

Board Certified

"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."

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

Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

Clinical Divisions

Gastroenterology GI, Pancreas Care

Research Divisions

Gastroenterology, Global Health



Blog Posts

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

Current State of Imaging of Pediatric Pancreatitis: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review. Trout, AT; Ayyala, RS; Murati, MA; Squires, JH; Callahan, MJ; Chavhan, GB; Abu-El-Haija, M; Anupindi, SA. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2021.

Medical Management of Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: A Position Paper by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Pancreas Committee. Freeman, AJ; Maqbool, A; Bellin, MD; Goldschneider, KR; Grover, AS; Hartzell, C; Piester, TL; Szabo, F; Kiernan, BD; Khalaf, R; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2021; 72:324-340.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation reduces resource utilization in pediatric patients. Kassam, AF; Cortez, AR; Johnston, ME; Zang, H; Fei, L; Lin, TK; Abu-El-Haija, M; Nathan, JD. American Journal of Surgery. 2021.

Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Testing (ePFT) in Children: A Position Paper From the NASPGHAN Pancreas Committee. Patel, N; Sellers, ZM; Grover, A; Liu, QY; Maqbool, A; Morinville, VD; Abu-El-Haija, M; Husain, SZ. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2021; 72:144-150.

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the Society for Pediatric Radiology Joint Position Paper on Noninvasive Imaging of Pediatric Pancreatitis: Literature Summary and Recommendations. Trout, AT; Anupindi, SA; Freeman, AJ; Macias-Flores, JA; Martinez, JA; Parashette, KR; Shah, U; Squires, JH; Morinville, VD; Husain, SZ; et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2021; 72:151-167.

Noninvasive imaging of pediatric pancreatitis: joint recommendations from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the Society for Pediatric Radiology. Trout, AT; Anupindi, SA; Husain, SZ; Morinville, VD; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pediatric Radiology. 2021; 51:8-10.

Imaging prediction of islet yield and post-operative insulin requirement in children undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation. Trout, AT; Nolan, HR; Abu-El-Haija, M; Fei, L; Lin, TK; Elder, DA; Nathan, JD. Pancreatology. 2021; 21:269-274.

Inaccurate Glucose Sensor Values After Hydroxyurea Administration. Tellez, SE; Hornung, LN; Courter, JD; Abu-El-Haija, M; Nathan, JD; Lawson, SA; Elder, DA. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. 2020.

Incidence of acute pediatric pancreatitis in the light of the clinical practice - The PINEAPPLE study. Mosztbacher, D; Párniczky, A; Juhász, M; Ocskay, K; Dohos, D; Tóth, A; Demcsák, A; Ila, V; Tokodi, I; Abu-El-Haija, M; et al. Pancreatology. 2020; 20:s74-s75.

Validation of threshold values for pancreas thickness and T1-weighted signal intensity ratio in the pediatric pancreas. McCleary, BM; Trout, AT; Dillman, JR; Sun, Q; Fei, L; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pediatric Radiology. 2020; 50:1381-1386.